I have set the Rural Payments Agency the following performance targets for 2008-09:

To have paid 80 per cent. by value of valid 2008 single payment scheme (SPS) claims by 31 January 2009 and 90 per cent. by value of valid 2008 SPS claims by 31 March 2009.

To process and pay at least 90 per cent. of valid claims, by volume, for trader and rural development implementation schemes (TARDIS) within ministerial guidelines, and 99 per cent. within the set EU Commission deadlines or in their absence 60 days of receipt of the claim.

To record 98 per cent. of notifications of births, deaths and movements of cattle on the cattle tracing system (CTS) within 14 days of their receipt.

To make 98 per cent. of all rural development programme for England (RDPE) payments on behalf of Natural England and regional development agencies (RDAs) in accordance with agreed service level agreement (SLA) targets.

To demonstrate an improving trend in customer satisfaction by achieving an annual average customer satisfaction score of 6.5 as measured through surveys of external customers and demonstrating a reduction in complaints.

To demonstrate a 10 per cent. reduction from the 2007-08 year in the cost of administering the RPA without compromising service delivery.

To minimise disallowance risks and make payments accurate to within 2 per cent. materiality for all subsidy schemes under RPA’s direct management.

To demonstrate improved capacity and capability to deliver services and implement change.

Further details are given in the RPA business plan for 2008-09, copies of which will be deposited in the Libraries of the House.