CAP Changes To The Single Farm Payment Scheme

From 1 January 2014 there will be a new Scheme for entitlement and payment of SFP. How will the draft proposals affect farmers now receiving payments? What has to be done to keep or acquire eligibility?

Help! I am Buying / Selling / Dealing in Farmland. Yes, We Can Help

We are preparing clauses to cover the transitional problems which we anticipate are likely to arise from the changes. We will advise on the implications for people buying and selling farm and estates; leasing and surrendering land with current entitlement eligibility; planning partnership and business ownership and structural changes and dealing with the estates of deceased claimants and transmission of land by their personal representatives. This is an ongoing monitoring and learning process.

Are You Eligible? In 2011 and 2014?

2011 Status

The claimant must have 'activated at least one entitlement under the Single Payment Scheme' in 2011. There are certain exemptions to this eg farmers who did not activate any entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme, but produced exclusively fruits, vegetables and/ or cultivated vineyards.

2014 Status

The claimant must be an 'active farmer' and have the land at his disposal on the relevant date. A claimant who does not achieve 2011 status has two possible options. If he is a 'young farmer', he may be able to claim entitlements from the national reserve. Or he can get eligibility from a farmer with 2011 status through contract.

The Golden Ticket?

A person with 2011 status may transfer that status if either the some or all of his entitlements are sold or leased under a contract signed before 15 May 2014.

Selling or Surrendering a Piece of Land?

2011 status may only be transferred to one person and if there is a part transfer, the Seller may not retain any part of his 2011 status.

Take care if land with entitlements is being sold in lots – each buyer may not get a 'golden ticket' and if any lots are unsold the seller may lose his golden ticket and be left with unsold land and no future entitlements.

Active Farmers Only Can Claim

The amount paid out in Farm Subsidies has to be politically justifiable to the EU population. To limit abuse, an income test is being added; so it is proposed that you will be excluded from Active Farmer status if the annual amount of Direct Payments is less than 5% of the total receipts you obtained from non-agricultural activities in the most recent fiscal year. The minimum farm size will be 1 ha (but the UK...

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