Hill farmer scheme payments hit 95pc

Figures showed that 2,079 claims have been paid, representing 95 per cent of the total, with £7.3m reaching farmers’ bank accounts.

Eligible applicants can only receive payment when all administrative checks have been completed – provided their SPS claim is also fully validated.

This is the first year of the UTP scheme, which has been aimed at farmers unable to enter the new strand of environmental stewardship (Uplands Entry Level Stewardship) due to continuing commitments in Environmentally Sensitive Area or Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreements. Uplands ELS succeeded the Hill Farm Allowance.

The figures were given a cautious welcome by the National Farmers’ Union.

A union spokesman said in a statement: “There were no official targets set for UTP payments, but the figures are welcome for the first year of payments.

“We are told that remaining claims will be paid as soon as possible.

“However, some may be held up due to issues such as entitlement correction work, probate or overpayment situations.

“Compared with the previous HFA scheme, there were fewer farmers eligible for UTP.”

A new 2012-2014 handbook is now available to cover the remaining years that UTP will be in existence.

UTP for 2012 payment can be claimed for in 2011, even if it was not claimed in 2010 for 2011, provided the eligibility criteria are still met.

RPA bosses said there is extensive FAQ material in the handbook to help tease out the finer points of who is eligible and who is not.

Information was also circulated to relevant farmers earlier in the year and there are brief details on UTP in the 2011-2012 SPS Handbook.

To apply for UTP 2012, the relevant questions on the 2011 SPS application form need to be completed correctly, along with the relevant land-use codes and area entries.