Purpose of Having a Soil Protection Review
The annual Soil Protection Review is part of a cross compliance system of tackling threats to earth degradation and the countryside in England.
After logging in to your account, the software makes it faster to send a report and most farmers find it easier to use.
Signing in also allows you to claim rural payments and update your contact information (e.g. if any of your circumstances change).
Note: SPR online reduces the likelihood of your farming business getting an inspection from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
You will need to create a Government Gateway to use the tool (unless you already have one). Following that, you can sign in through GOV.UK Verify or with your customer reference number (CRN) and password.
The Farming Advice Service is the advisory office for SPR. Contact them if you have queries or questions about the Soil Protection Review 2022.
Farming Advice Service (FAS)
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 5pm
Check a list of phone call charges.
Soil Protection Review: Copy Kept on the Farm
What if you are unable to complete the Soil Protection Review online? If this is the case, you should keep a copy at your farmhouse instead.
You can either:
- Use a Rural Payment Agency spreadsheet.
- Download the latest version (SPR 2010) and then print out for completion.
Note: You can start a Defra review by assessing pollution risks to manage fertiliser, manure, and soil to prevent runoff, erosion, and leachings.
Agents for Farmers
You should sign up as an agent if you intend using the Soil Protection Review for more than one farmer. Doing so would give someone permission to act on your behalf.
Soil Protection Cross Compliance
Note: The standards for soil protection are part of a cross compliance system. Getting a farming subsidy under the Single Payment Scheme is reliant on meeting these standards.
Single Payment Scheme Online is now Closed
The single farm payment online scheme has closed. Hence, you should use the Rural Payments service instead.
You can get copies of the information that you used to see online from the Rural Payments Agency.
Rural Payments Agency
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 03000 200 301
PO Box 69
Reading RG1 3YD
Note: The information may not be available until after the 15th of May.
Schemes Outside of England
Note: Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have their own single payment schemes. You can also use the Rural Payments and Services to manage your Single Payment Scheme online in Scotland.
Related Help Guides
The short video [3:17 seconds] highlights some of the key findings from a project conducted by an ETH Zurich World Food System Center (e.g. different options for soil management).