Farmers to be able to claim subsidies online

New system will allow farmers to track status of rural payments claims

Farmers will be able to claim subsidies online

The Rural Payments Agency is planning to add more functions to its electronic channel for submissions to the Single Payment Scheme.

In a contract notice to the Official Journal of the European Union last week the agency said it is lookng for a managed service provider to further develop the system.

The Single Payment Scheme is an automated system for distributing payments to farmers that has been much criticised for mispayments, delays and technology failure.

Currently farmers can make their submissions for payments through specialised farm software packages using a data exchange service.

The contract notice says the new channel will provide an online facility for farmers not using farm software to make submissions for payments.

The next phase will involve adding functions that enable farmers, vendors, traders and agents to manage their customer details, claim status and statements online.
Procurement will begin later this year, with operation beginning by 2011.