New hill farm payments on way

YORKSHIRE hill farmers have begun to receive payments under the new Uplands Transitional Payments (UTP) scheme.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Mar 2011, 00:00 BST

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) launched the scheme this week and said that some 1,525 farmers, which represents 70 per cent of eligible claimants, have received full payments worth £5.1m in the first week.

Payments are made to farmers after administrative checks have been completed but are dependent on SPS claims being validated.

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The UTP scheme was introduced this year for any farmers who are unable to enter the new Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (UELS) scheme due to their commitments in ‘Environmentally Sensitive Area’ or ‘Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreements’.

UELS is the successor scheme to the former Hill Farm Allowance.

Claims for the payment in 2012 can be made on the SPS 2011 application, the agency said.

RPA bosses are also encouraging farmers to use the SPS Online service.

To do so visit the link available on the Business Link website via www.businesslink.gov.uk/sps- claim

Related topics:Yorkshire