FARMERS have been advised to keep an eye out for the delivery of mapping packs concerning their Single Payment Scheme.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is updating the Rural Land Register (RLR) to include the 2008 Ordnance Survey mapping information. Lucinda Clifford, of GSC chartered surveyors, Barnard Castle, said it should lead to the most accurate information being used for Single Payment Scheme applications from 2010 onwards. But farmers should watch for the arrival of their mapping pack as there is a 28-day time limit to respond.

She added: “The main change you will see to your RLR maps is the inclusion of ineligible features which in turn will enable the RPA to pre- populate the claimable area on the Single Payment Scheme (SPs) application forms. It is therefore strongly recommended that you or an agent checks the new RLR maps for your holding as the changes made will affect all future claims.”

BOARD MEMBER: Professor John Ditch, director of higher education at Askham Bryan College, York, has been appointed as an independent member of the Agricultural Wages Board. A visiting Professor of Social Law at the University of Ghent, he has also held posts at the Universities of Ulster, Aberdeen, York and Northumbria. He has undertaken research for the European Commission, the World Bank and OECD, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and member of the Institute of Directors.

He lives near York.

PARASITE GUIDE: A new beef and sheep parasite guide from EBLEX will be distributed to almost 23,000 producers including details of the best product to tackle each problem. Farmers can sign up to receive EBLEX Better Returns material on 0870-241- 8829; email brp@eblex.org.uk

SKILLS COUNCIL: The Lantra Skills Council is offering up to 70 per cent funded training courses for sheep farmers on a variety of technical and knowledge transfer topics, including electronic sheep tagging.

Contact 0845-707-8007 or visit www.lantra.co.uk/RDPELandSkills