Rural Payments Agency

Baroness Byford
asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs publication, Set-Aside Handbook and Guidance for England—2007 Update, why the RPA will apply area penalties to any farmer who has used the 2005 baseline offered under paragraph 1, but has calculated too low an area. [HL4999]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker)
The EU regulations governing the single payment scheme require farmers to manage as set-aside sufficient land to support the number of set-aside entitlements they hold. Where they have not managed as set-aside sufficient eligible land, no payment can be made on the set-aside entitlements that have not been used. Under the terms of the EU regulations area penalties may also be applicable depending on the size of the shortfall in set-aside.

Baroness Byford
asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs publication, Set-Aside Handbook and Guidance for England—2007 Update, how many applications the RPA has had for permission to apply fertiliser to set-aside land used as a feeding ground for over-wintering migratory geese. [HL5000]

Lord Rooker
The Rural Payments Agency has received no such requests.