Welsh Government
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RPW Online working well with one month to go until SAF deadline
Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans has urged farmers to complete their Single Application Forms (SAFs), with just one month to go until the window for applications in Wales closes.
Most farmers are choosing to complete their SAF online. Since becoming available in February, more than 2500 SAFs have been submitted through RPW Online, which is more than double the number of online submissions received by this date last year.
Despite these encouraging figures, and following the decision that Wales will not be changing the May deadline for submission of the SAF, the Deputy Minister was keen to clarify the position for those yet to submit their applications.
She said:
“In Wales, the online application process is working very well and the feedback we have received from the industry has been very positive.
“This year’s SAFs will take longer to complete compared to previous years because this is the first year of the new Basic Payment Scheme. While there is a lot of additional information required from farmers under the new regulations, developing the Single Application Form online has meant we have been able to incorporate lots of smart features that help to reduce the time it takes to complete and prevent some of the common mistakes that can be made.
“Although the European Commission is thought likely to provide Member States the option to extend the deadline for SAF submission from 15 May to 15 June, I will not take up this option as it will delay the start of part payments to all claimants. I would therefore urge anyone yet to start their SAF online to do so as soon as they can and before the May deadline to avoid late penalties or being out of time to apply for entitlements in this critical year.”
Over 60 % of farmers, or their agents, have registered with RPW Online so far. While it is expected that online applications will far outnumber paper applications this year, the Deputy Minister also reminded farmers that from next year, the application will only be available online. Farmers who need any additional support or who do not have broadband access can contact the Customer Contact Centre to book an appointment at a regional Welsh Government office.
