Rural Payments and Services

For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.

Conservation of wild birds (SMR 2)

Following a European Commission Audit some of the requirements protecting birds and their habitats within Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Area of Conservation have been extended to all land. See Conservation of wild birds (SMR 2) for full details.

Cattle identification and registration (SMR 7)

To reflect regulatory requirements the methodology to determine the assessment of cattle identification and traceability breaches has changed. See the SMR 7 sections of the Verifiable Standards for full details.

You can read the guidance from previous years here.

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