The RPA Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to the fourteenth episode of The RPA Podcast. In this episode we take a look at the benefits of moving over to CTS Online. We look at the new RPA email notification and how to avoid being the target of fraud, we look at the controlled roll-out of Countryside Stewardship Highter Tier and in a new section at the end of the podcast, we do a round-up of shorter items of news from RPA over the past few months. 

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

Welcome to the thirteenth episode of The RPA Podcast. In this episode we take an in depth look at two of the How to videos produced by RPA to provide farmers with helpful information about what to expect from an RPA field officer visit. 

These cover sheep and goat, and also cattle visits. We also look at what other RPA videos are available, designed to support farmers with advice on various topics. 

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

Welcome to the fourth episode of The RPA Podcast.

In our latest episode, Richard Anderson, who leads the Field Officer teams at the RPA, talks about the RPA’s more collaborative approach to inspections and visits, and the improvements we can expect to see in the coming months. Richard highlights how his team will support farmers by offering greater levels of advice, guidance and signposting to help improve compliance with standards and scheme requirements.

We also take some time to understand the RPA’s geospatial mapping process. Rachael Dale, Head of Geospatial Services at the RPA, discusses the exciting changes that the RPA hopes will transform the mapping experience for farmers. 

As we approach December’s Basic Payments Scheme payments window, we discuss BPS progressive reductions with Kenny McLoughlin, BPS and CS Claims Product Lead at the RPA. Kenny guides us through December’s BPS payments window and explains how the combination of progressive reductions and advance payments will impact this year’s window.

Later in the episode we hear from farming ambassador and RPA colleague, Norma Boyes MBE, as she reflects on how farming has changed, and continues to change, for women in agricultural roles and communities, as we mark October’s International Day of Rural Women.  

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

Welcome to the third episode  of The RPA Podcast.

In our latest episode, Daneka Rodgers, Senior Business Analyst at the RPA, explains why it’s crucial to keep your personal information up to date in the Rural Payments Service and offers some great tips on how to update your details. Daneka also talks us through the importance of ‘setting permissions’ in the Rural Payments Service, and highlights what this means for your business.

We’re in the peak season for agricultural shows, so we also explore the RPA’s shows and events schedule with Senior Stakeholder Manager & Shows and Events Lead, Katie Yon. Katie discusses why attending shows is such an important part of the RPA’s programme.

Later in the podcast Sandy Kapila, the RPA’s Customer Director, provides a roundup of the very latest information and updates, and answers some of your questions.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

Welcome to the second episode of The RPA Podcast.

In this episode, Sustainable Farming Incentive Pilot Delivery Manager, Alex Hills, talks about the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot scheme, and the important findings that have already been applied to the SFI live service that’s due to launch later this year. 

We also explore the Countryside Stewardship applications window with Rozanne Kidd, Agricultural Transition Director at the RPA. Rozanne focuses on the improvements made to this year’s Mid Tier scheme and considers how the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme complements Countryside Stewardship schemes. 

Later in the podcast Duncan Currie, Project Manager in the Business Transformation Directorate at the RPA, talks us through the recently launched Lump Sum Exit scheme.

In our last podcast, we heard how the RPA is focused on listening to customers, learning from their experiences and continuously improving the RPA’s services. Listening to our customers is at the heart of this, and in today’s episode, Megan Hughes, Samantha Kadzidlo and Jen Bird from the RPA’s Customer Development, Journey and Insight Team, discuss the role of the team and how they would like to work with farmers and landowners in the months and years ahead. Megan, Samantha and Jen also highlight their exciting plans to launch the RPA Research and Insight Network Group later in the year.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

Welcome to the Rural Payments Agency’s first ever podcast! During 2022 we’ll be bringing you a series of podcasts to help farmers, landowners and rural communities keep up-to-date on developments at the RPA, offer support and guidance, and navigate agricultural transition. In today’s episode, we reflect on 2021 with Customer Director Sandy Kapila and look forward to what’s coming up in 2022 with Senior Stakeholder Manager Katie Yon. Later in the programme, we also have a special feature on wellbeing in rural communities with External Affairs Manager Carrie Smith.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

Welcome to the twelfth episode of The RPA Podcast. In our latest episode, we speak with Peter Clampett from RPA’s Regulatory and Advice Service about the hedgerows management regulations covering which hedgerows the rules apply to, the hedgerow cutting ban which is in force from the 1 March to the 31 August each year, how the rules apply to the 2 metres buffer strip, exemptions to the rules, how to apply for a derogation and when civil sanctions may be used.  

The implementation of the new hedgerow regulations (Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024) came into force in May 2024.

There is more information on GOV.UK. Farmers, land managers and general public can read the Hedgerow-management-rules-cutting-and-trimming page. There is also the Hedgerow management rules: buffer strips page on GOV.UK

You should also consider that if you do need to cut your hedgerow in the closed period, does it fall under an exemption?  And if it does, and you need to apply for a Derogation, read How to apply for written permission (a derogation). You can find guidance on all the rules and exemptions on GOV.UK.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

Welcome to the eleventh episode of The RPA Podcast. In our latest episode, we look at five things you can do to ensure you’re well prepared to apply for Environmental Land Management schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Kevin Lamacq, a Continuous Improvement Manager from RPA’s Customer team, talks about what you can do to get scheme ready, ensuring the application process will be quicker and easier.

In our second section, we speak with Emma Bryan from RPA’s Regulatory and Advice Service about the public consultation which has been launched to seek views on how the implementation of the new hedgerow regulations (Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024) which came into force in May, will be approached. 

If you would like to participate and add your views to the consultation on the regulatory approach and use of civil sanctions for hedgerow management, please click here. The consultation closes on the 10th December 2024. 

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

Welcome to the tenth episode of The RPA Podcast. In our latest episode, we have a roundtable discussion with RPA’s senior customer leadership team: ‘Inside the RPA: Leadership and Vision’.  And in our second part, we bring you an interview with the Farming Advice Service (FAS) to give you more information on their new partnership with Catchment Sensitive Farming.

RPA senior leaders Marie Hardeman, RPA’s Customer Director, Emily Edwards, Head of Customer Insight and Gareth Jones, Head of Customer Experience engage in a discussion about how they’re working to improve customer service and how listening to, and understanding customers, are the pillars for improving the customer journey and satisfaction.  

In our second section, we speak with Laura Harpham from the Farming Advice Service (FAS) about their services and their new partnership with Catchment Sensitive Farming. The FAS is a national network of qualified, independent advisers under contract to Defra who provide free and confidential government advice to farmers and farming industry advisers. 

The Podcast is also an opportunity for RPA to engage with farmers and land managers, and we encourage you to reach out to us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can e-mail us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts:

• Follow us on X @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information. 

In today’s podcast, we discuss the opening of the claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship revenue and Environmental Stewardship agreements, delinked payments, RPA’s shows and events schedule and the new round of Farming Equipment and Technology Fund Grants. We also have an interview with Marie Hardeman, RPA’s Customer Director, who talks about her year into the role and improvements in Customer Services. 

Item 1:

Gregg Bulman a Countryside Stewardship Processing manager, runs us through Opening of the claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship revenue and Environmental Stewardship agreements and delinked payments·  

• The claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) revenue and Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements has opened on 14 March 2024. 
• All farmers must submit a claim or annual declaration for CS and ES before 15 May to receive payment for works carried out through the schemes in 2024 without a reduction. The final deadline for submitting a claim with reduction is 2 September. 
• In 2023 the RPA supplemented the existing online claim process for CS with a more straightforward annual declaration option in cases where no changes are required. This will still be available in the Rural Payments service for 2024, with farmers able to generate and submit an automated revenue claim without needing to complete each section of the claim form. 

Item 2:

In our second section, we speak with Katie Yon from RPA’s shows and events team, about the range of shows and events the team will be visiting this year and what visitors to the RPA stand can expect.
Please come and visit RPA at Agricultural Shows across the country.

Item 3:

• In our third section, we speak to Caitlin Smith from RPA’s Grants Service team, who  talks to us about the new round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund.
• Grants for productivity and slurry management items are available now. The deadline to apply is midday 17 April 2024. Farmers, foresters, growers and contractors to those sectors can apply. 
• You can apply for one grant from each of the 3 themes. The fund is competitive. Successful applicants will receive a grant of: 
  • a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000 towards productivity items
  • a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000 towards slurry items
  • a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £25,000 towards animal health and welfare items
• We will pay a percentage of the cost depending on the item. For many items, this percentage is an increase on last year. This funding will go towards either: 
  • the average cost of the item – if an item costs you the same or more than the expected average cost in the item list
  • the actual cost you pay for the item – if an item costs you less than the expected average cost in the item list
• Read the FETF 2024 guidance for information about the grants and the item lists. 

Item 4:

In our last segment, we are joined by Marie Hardeman, RPA’s Customer Director who is here to talk about all things Customer Service.

• RPA has supported thousands of customers this year to access funding so as well as continuing to deliver funding through existing schemes, we’ve delivered a variety of new schemes and new grants. 
• We have improved how our customers can contact us, how they can get through to the right person on our telephone lines or by web chats.
• RPA has increased the way we share information to reach more customers, newsletters, podcasts, videos to show guidance, videos to share real life examples from customers on how they’re using our funding to deliver great outcomes.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

• Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
• Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
• Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
• YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information.