NFU Scotland is reminding all farmers and crofters that crunch time is fast approaching for them to complete and submit their annual application form for Scotland’s various support schemes.

The Union adds that all claimants should submit their completed Single Application Form (SAF) - either through Rural Payments Online or to their local SGRPID area office - on or before Tuesday, 15 May 2012 to receive full payments.

Accurate completion of the SAF form is crucial if farmers and crofters are claiming support under the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS), Scottish Beef Scheme (SBS), Land Managers Options (LMO), Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS), or Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities (RDC-RP).

NFU Scotland’s Director of Policy and Regions, Jonnie Hall said:

“It is easy when attention is still focussed on lambing, calving or spring field work to forget that the annual May 15th SAF deadline is looming but finding some time to ensure your application form is completed accurately and submitted on or before that date would be time well spent.

“The onus remains on the applicant to ensure all the relevant information is provided on the forms and that it is accurate.  This is always a concern and a worry for many but the sooner farmers start the process of completing their forms, the sooner any queries or issues will arise, allowing time to approach SGRPID if clarification is needed.

“Given that the SAF is the claim form for SFPS, LFASS and RDC-RP annual recurrent options, and the land declarations for the area-based options of the LMO, it is hugely important to many Scottish farming businesses.  All Scottish producers seeking support via these schemes know that and can play their part by filling out forms as accurately as possible, thereby significantly reducing the risk of either payment reductions or penalties.”

Notes to Editors

• The Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS): Single Application Form (SAF) 2012 must be submitted by those who wish to claim and be paid under the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS), Scottish Beef Scheme (SBS), Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS), Land Managers' Options (LMO) and Rural Priorities – Rural Development Contracts annual recurrent options.
• For those submitting SAF online, the Rural Payments Online (RPO) telephone helpdesk will be open the weekend before the May 15 deadline for this year’s Single Application Form (SAF). The helpline will be taking calls on Saturday May 12 from 8.30 to 16.00 and Sunday May 13 from 10.00 to 16.00 in the run-up to the final closing date for all applications under the SAF without a reduction in payments. For more information about Rural Payments Online go to www.ruralpaymentsonline.com or phone 0845 601 7597 (open Monday to Friday during office hours).
• Other enquiries about SAF paper applications will be dealt with through the 16 SGRPID area offices based across Scotland.
• The deadline for a SAF to be submitted either online or to an area office without reducing payments is Tuesday, May 15 2012. The final deadline is Saturday, June 9 2012.  The SAF can be accepted between May 16 and June 9 but payments will be reduced for all schemes covered by the SAF by 1 percent for each working day it is late. The SAF cannot be accepted if received after 9 June.
• All applicants are reminded to:

1. ­Fill in the relevant questions on your IACS (2) and columns on your IACS (3) & IACS (4) data sheets to activate your SFPS entitlements by 15 May 2012.
2. Enter a “Y” or an “N” in column G on your LFA data sheet(s) against each land parcel if claiming under LFASS.
3. Complete question 7 on your IACS (2) and relevant columns on your IACS (3) data sheet(s) if claiming for RDC-RP annual recurrent options.
4. Fill in and submit your LMO application (LMO (2)) by 15 May 2012 if applying for an LMO.
5. Fill in and submit your SBS claim form(s) between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012 if claiming under SBS.
6. If you have made changes to your land, business or contact details, since you submitted your SAF 2011, or you make changes between 16 May 2012 and 15 May 2013, you must tell SGRPID about them by filling in and returning an Land and Business Change Form.

• If you are posting your SAF/LMO (2) to SGRPID ensure that you have paid the correct postage.  It is your responsibility to ensure SGRPID receives your SAF/LMO (2) on time.  If SGRPID receive your SAF after the 15 May 2012 deadline they will reduce your payments for all schemes covered by the SAF.  SGRPID cannot accept your LMO (2) if they receive it after 15 May 2012.

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006