This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Sheep Annual Premium Scheme
04/12/2003
The Executive has reminded sheep
producers that today is the first day for claims under the
Sheep Annual Premium Scheme.
The closing date for the acceptance of
applications is Wednesday, February 4
.Applications will be accepted up to February
29 but late claim penalties will apply during this period.
Claimants are also reminded that they
must ensure that claim forms are properly completed and in
particular are signed.
All claim forms will be acknowledged
including those submitted electronically.
Any claimant who does not receive an
acknowledgement should contact their SEERAD Area
Office.
Guidance Notes and claim forms have
been distributed to all known sheep producers along with a
covering letter stressing the importance of maintaining an
up to date and accurate flock record.
Also enclosed is a suggested flock
record book and a note on each of the six quality assurance
bodies membership of one of which is essential in order to
qualify for the Quality Assured Producers Scheme supplement
(QAPS).
Any producer who wishes to claim and
has not received this pack by Monday December 8 should
contact their SEERAD Area Office.
There are three important features
relevant to the new Scheme :
1.
As an alternative to submitting a
paper claim, producers with access to the Internet can now
complete one and submit it electronically. Further
information on how to access the electronic system (known
as SEERAD on line), can be found by visiting the Scottish
Executive's website at www.scotland.gov.uk/agri.
2.
The Quality Assured Producers Scheme
is, as in 2003, again a part of the SAP 2004 claim form.
This scheme is designed to provide
additional support to producers engaged in farming activity
that responds to the need of the market.
The amount payable under QAPS will again
depend on quality assured membership levels.
Payment in the current year is £0.89 per
eligible ewe.
3.
Producers wishing to trade quota
must submit transfer or lease notification forms before the
end of the application period.
Notification of transfer and leases will not
be accepted after February 4.
In order to avoid penalties, SEERAD
reminds claimants that they must comply with the rules of
the scheme.
These include giving their local Area Office
prior written notification if their sheep are to be moved
during the retention period to a location other than those
listed on their claim form.
Claimants must also keep an up-to-date flock
record in accordance with scheme requirements.
2004 scheme arrangements for the Sheep
Annual Premium Scheme arise from European Council
Regulation 2529/2001 which was approved by the Agricultural
Council in December 2001.
The Regulation included provision for the
establishment of sheep national envelopes (the source of
funding for QAPS.)
QAPS was announced by the Minister for
Environment and Rural Development, Ross Finnie, on
September 18, 2002.
This is the second year of a Scheme designed
to run for 3 years.
It is open to members of quality assurance
schemes in the UK that are independently certified to
European Standard EN 45011.
To qualify a producer will have to qualify
for the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme and be a member of one
of 6 quality assured bodies.
These are listed in the Sheep Annual Premium
Scheme 2004 Notes for Guidance.
The value of payments will be
determined by the relevant Euro/pound exchange rate in
force at the end of December 2003.
In addition, the amount payable under QAPS
will further depend on the number of eligible animals
claimed.
For SAP 2003 the amounts paid per eligible
animal were as follows;
Sheep Annual Premium
£13.48
LFA supplement
£ 4.49
QAPS payment
£ 0.89