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Rural Support Service (RSS) provides the State support and the EU support to farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Direct payments are granted directly to farmers under a support scheme - the Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS). This simplified scheme has been applied in Latvia since 2004 and it involves the payment of uniform amounts per eligible hectares of agricultural area, which was maintained in good agricultural condition on 30 June 2003, whether or not in production at that date.

Complimentary National Direct payments (CNDP) are additional SAPS payments that are realized as production-related and as production-detached aid.

It is possible for farmers to apply for the following aid:

• Single Area payment;
• Specific support in dairy sector;
• EU Specific market support in the dairy sector (one-time aid);
• Soft fruit payment;
• Separate sugar payment;
• Complimentary National Direct payments;
• Detached Complimentary National Direct payments;
• Payments to farmers in areas with handicaps, other than Mountain Areas;
• Natura 2000 payments and payments linked to Directive 2000/60/EC;
• Natura 2000 Payments (to Forest Owners);
• Agro-environment measures:

                 -  Development of Organic Farming;
                 -  Maintaining Biodiversity in Grassland;
                 -  Establishment of Buffer Belts;
                 -  Preservation of Genetic Resources of Farming Animals;
                 -  Reduction of Erosion;
                 -  Introducing and Promoting Integrated Horticulture;
                 -  Stubble field in winter period.

More detailed information regarding support measures is available here (in Latvian).

Latvian farmers may apply for support under various support schemes and measures by submitting an application form in one of nine RSS Regional Agriculture Department or by submitting an application form electronically using Electronic Applications System.

EU Direct Payment department as a division of RSS is responsible for making payments to eligible applicants.

Main functions of the department are:

• Preparation and distribution application forms to farmers;
• Providing farmers with information necessary for filling in application forms and maps;
• Registration of application forms;
• Administration of applications;
• Decision-making on reductions or rejection of aid and its application;
• Correspondence with applicants;
• Archiving of applications;
• Allocation of payments to beneficiaries;
• Development and operation of integrated administration and control system (IACS);
• Development and operation of Electronic Applications System (EAS);
• Reporting to official bodies.