RDP Scheme Start Dates

DEFRA has decided that as from 1^st January 2015 all new Environmental Stewardship agreements will have a 1^st January start date and the current monthly start dates will end.  Although the date is not known yet, it is likely there will be a deadline for applications each year giving Natural England enough time to process applications ready for a January 1^st commencement. 

It has said existing agreements will not have to stop and re-start but the claim period will be ‘re-aligned’ to a January to December year.  This will mean any capital payment claims will be made for work undertaken from January to December rather than, say, September to August ifthe existing agreement commenced on 1^st September.  The change how ever will not affect the timing of the current two payments or the end date of any existing agreements.  Any existing agreements which do not have a December 31^st end date, if not renewed, the last payment will be a part payment but at present it is unclear how the system will operate if an agreement is to be renewed and DEFRA is in discussions with the Commission over this.

Ministers have taken this decision because the Commission have imposed penalties on England for using monthly start dates.  According to the Commission this system means it is difficult to comply with its rules surrounding compliance, inspections and payment controls.  England has already been fined £1.6m for 2008 and 2009 and this may continue until the single start date is implemented.

Of course the current RD Programme is set to end at the end of this year.  But with timetables slipping over agreement of the overall EU budget and reforms to the CAP details of future agri-environment schemes are not yet known.  DEFRA has said it will be consulting this spring on the ‘shape’ of the next RD Programme and how agri-environment will fit in to this.  Following which discussions will take place with stakeholders and the European Commission, further information on future schemes is not expected until early next year.