[Sarah Smyth]

Hi - as a newcomer to smallholdings I've been reading various threads re: SPS subsidies and stewardships. From what i've read it is clear there are ongoing obligations regarding stewardship schemes whereas the SPS/BPS seems to cone without any future obligations. Is my interpretation correct? Are there any downsides associated with SPS/BPS i'm missing apart from some basic husbandry and paperwork?

Thanks! Sarah

[Stereo]

Not sure what you are asking. SPS is finished now although the entitlements will hand over to then new system BPS. So, if you owned entitlements and were claiming SPS this should transfer to BPS payments in 2015. There is a higher land requirement for BPS though, I think 5 hectares? Not sure on that one. I know a lot of smalholders will lose payments under the new system.  I think that BPS comes with a greening element built in so you will be expected to fulfill some environmental obligations to claim it.

I'm as confused about it as anyone but there is some info here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/common-agricultural-policy-reform

[Backinwellies]

Minimum 5 ha  of actual farmed land... not woodland or buildings... so a lot of smallholders will lose out. 

 I think you are asking if there are less obligations with BPS .... well I guess you can opt out any year without ongoing obligations but there is a long list of obligations to actually obtain it .... I'm still trying to get my head round some of those.