ELM Independent verification of payment calculations

The aim of this project is for ELM to have evidence-based payment rates for different iterations of the SFI and LNR/CS schemes between now and the full scheme rollout in 2024. Our work involves verifying the payment rates in order that Defra has a high degree of confidence in payment rates for the schemes. This includes: ensuring the data and evidence sources used in the creation of building blocks are robust and representative of the target farming or land system; check that the assumptions underpinning payment calculations are appropriate for the target farming system and that they are used correctly in the calculation; and provide assessment and advice on how payment rates sit against WTO and RDPE (as appropriate) standards. This project builds on the previous verification of building blocks data and IF+C calculations undertaken for Defra/NE in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2021.