Scottish Government

Rural Development Contracts: Land Managers Options

Land Managers' Options are being introduced as part of Rural Development Contracts ( RDC) under the Scotland Rural Development Programme ( SRDP). When the application form was printed we were awaiting approval of the Scotland Rural Development Programme ( SRDP). As a result, the Land Managers Options Notes for Guidance booklet will be sent to you separately.

What are Land Managers' Options ( LMO)?

LMO are options which help enable SRDP applicants to meet programme objectives.

• RDCs link support under Pillar I (Single Farm Payment and other direct schemes) with support under Pillar II (Tiers II and III of the SRDP) under the Common Agricultural Policy.
• Tier II was introduced in 2005 as the Land Management Contract Menu Scheme ( LMCMS).
• Under the new SRDP, Tier II will be implemented under the LMO.
• LMO provide support for the provision of economic, social and environmental improvements across Scotland.
• LMO are non-competitive and each participant is limited to a maximum allowance.

Who can participate?

• Any land manager with land in Scotland can apply.
• You must be registered with the Scottish Government's Integrated Administration and Control System ( IACS) and have a business reference number ( BRN).
• For the land-based multi-annual options you must either:
  • Own or hold the land under a secure tenancy for the duration of the commitment.
    
    OR
  • if the tenancy is less than 5 years get the landlord to sign up for the remainder of the commitment period.

When and how do I take part?

• Complete the application forms enclosed and submit to your Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate Area Office ( SGRPID) by the 15 May deadline. This deadline will be confirmed when the LMO Notes for Guidance are issued.
• In addition to an LMO application form, all participants must submit a Single Application Form ( SAF) by the IACS deadline(s) (penalty free by 15 May).
• LMO land based activities must also be detailed on the SAF Field Data Sheet.

Do any restrictions apply?

Each participant will have a maximum annual allowance which limits the aid available for LMCMS and LMO.

When will I get paid?

There is no approval process and hence no approval letter issued. Commitments start from the applications submission deadline and payments are made from the end of the scheme year the following May. Land-based options are paid automatically. A claim form must be submitted for the other options by 31 August following the end of the scheme year.

Once I am participating in LMO, what general conditions will apply?

You will be subject to GAEC and Statutory Management Requirements under cross compliance (those with LMCMS continuing commitments will need to continue complying with Good Farming Practice too).

Where can I find more details about LMO?

Any further guidance, for example more detailed or specialised guidance will be available on the SRDP website at www.scotland.gov.uk/srdp

LAND MANAGEMENT CONTRACT MENU SCHEME ( LMCMS) 2008 DECLARATION

LMCMS is closed to new applicants. Those of you who have existing LMCMS 5 year commitments as detailed in section 2 should complete the enclosed LMO (2) application form. You must complete and submit it to your SGRPID Area Office on or before 15 May 2008 to continue to be eligible for payment for the 5 year commitments you started in 2005 or 2006. If you think the commitments shown in section 2 are incorrect, contact your Area Office as soon as possible.

The full details of the options can be found in the LMCMS notes for guidance for the year your commitment started - Land Management Contract Menu Scheme Notes for Guidance ( LMCMS 1) 2005 or 2006.

Completion of the form

Section 1- Business details

Check the business details are correct - any changes need to be notified to the SGRPID Area Office using a Land and Business change form ( LBCF). A copy of this form is available from the SGRPID Area Office or can be downloaded from our website at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/03/20104524/5

Section 2 - claim details

We have pre-printed from our database on 28 January 2008 the options which you are currently under taking. Please check the options and the area/length of each and confirm the location of the options by completing columns M and N on the Single Application Form Field Data Sheets.

If you are currently undertaking the LMCMS Animal Health and Welfare option this will be indicated on the table at 2. You will have to complete the table to confirm which of the voluntary actions you will be undertaking during the 2008 scheme year.

Sections 3-7 relate to LMO application. Details of how to apply will be found in the LMO Notes for Guidance.

Section 8 - Declarations and undertakings

Please read carefully, sign and date.

LMO/ LMCMS headquarters contact

Phone: 0131 244 6426
Fax: 0131 244 6277
RPIDCSDmailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The code number of your holding should be quoted in any correspondence with us.