NFU: RPA to review 2005 national reserve applications following negotiations with NFU

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Friday, 08, Aug 2008 12:00

Farmers and landowners who had their applications for a National Reserve award as ‘alternative investors’ in 2005 turned down by the Rural Payments Agency may have their cases reviewed following negotiations between the RPA and the NFU.

Applicants to the National Reserve under the Investor category in 2005 had the option of asking the RPA to use an ‘alternative method’ to calculate their awards. However, a number of applicants were originally told by the RPA that their applications had been rejected because they had not experienced a force majeure or exceptional circumstance event, or because they had already qualified for an award under the standard method of calculation, even though these factors were not specified as requirements for an award under the ‘alternative method’ in the 2005 SPS Handbook and Guidance.

NFU legal adviser Nina Winter, who led the negotiations for the NFU, said: “Following lengthy negotiations with the NFU, the RPA has now confirmed that it will review National Reserve applications made in 2005 where the applicant asked to be considered under the ‘alternative method’ under the Investor category. We are pleased that, following our representations, the RPA will now review the applications under the criteria set out in the 2005 SPS Handbook and Guidance.

“We are glad that, with support from the NFU’s Legal Assistance Scheme, we were able to resolve this matter with the RPA through negotiations and without having to go to court.”

Notes to editors:

1. Further details about the review are available on the RPA’s website: http://www.rpa.gov.uk/rpa/index.nsf/home

2. The National Reserve was used to ‘top up’ payments under the Single Payment Scheme for farmers who were in unique situations when SPS was introduced, such as new entrants to farming.

3. Applicants could ask the RPA to use an ‘alternative method’ to calculate their National Reserve award under the Investor category if they felt the standard method of calculation did not accurately reflect their circumstances when SPS was introduced.

4. For interviews with Nina Winter call the NFU press office on 02476 858686.

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