Author Topic: Smallholding - Where to start..... (Read 1997 times)

pigs in space · « **on:** July 25, 2011, 10:42:48 am »

Hi, Help please!!

We have 3 acres and have just bought 10 acres designated as Agricultural land.

Can anyone advise on how to:
1. Set it up as a Smallholding. Do you need to register or is it just a case of a Holding number...or is that the same thing?
2. Claim any Single Payments ( We already have two acres)

Based in south England...

Thanks!

welshlass181 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2011, 10:59:26 am »

The only bit of advice i would give anybody is buy the book Farm to Field

lots of good info in there.

oaklandspigs · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2011, 08:14:52 am »

No need to register as a smallholding - there is no official designation of such or need to register it.

If you keep a farmed animal, then you must have a holding no. - if just planting crops, then not needed.

SPS is a bit more complicated - depends on whether the land already has someone claiming SPS. This could have been transferred with the sale, but can from memory be retained. Contact the Rural Payments Agency on 0845 603 7777 and they will be able to help.

Tiva Diva · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2011, 09:35:08 am »

You need a CPH number (for the land) from DEFRA and flock/herd numbers for any livestock you plan on keeping (from your local animal health office). As Oaklandspigs says, single farm payment is more complex, but the Rural Payments Agency will help you with that and can tell you about any more grants you may be able to apply for.
If you're going to sell food from your smallholding you need to register with your local food hygiene people too.
Bloody red tape, Grrr!
Best of luck, anyway!