The Single Payment Scheme (SPS) introduced in 2005 is the
principal agricultural subsidy scheme in the European Union.
Farmers are not required to undertake any agricultural production
to claim under the SPS, but they are required to comply with EU
standards covering public, animal and plant health, environmental
and animal welfare (cross compliance) on all their agricultural
land.
The SPS is constantly evolving and the
requirements and standards for cross compliance continue to be
updated. It is therefore important to keep up to date with the
changing requirements. Our team can advise on all aspects of the
SPS and related direct aid schemes as well as national agricultural
grant schemes.
Milk quotas were also introduced as part of
the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to restrict production
across the member states. A number of changes to the milk quota
regime are currently being implemented as part of the reform of
CAP. We can provide advice on these changes and all the rules
governing milk quotas.
