Every year, over twenty three thousand farmers across England receive notice that the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will be inspecting their land. These visits are a key part of the government’s effort to ensure farms receiving public money under schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) are meeting the required standards.
But for many, the idea of an RPA inspection can be daunting — especially with the risk of financial penalties or even having your SFI agreement ended if things go wrong.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- How often RPA farm inspections happen
- What inspectors check when they visit
- What happens if you fail an inspection
- How to prepare and pass with confidence
- Why JustFarm is the simplest way to stay compliant and ready all year round
How Many Farm Inspections Does the RPA Carry Out Each Year?
The RPA carries out around 23,000 inspections every year across England. These cover a range of schemes, including SFI, Countryside Stewardship (CS), and other environmental or agricultural support programmes.
Not every inspection is planned in advance. In fact, the RPA has the legal right to carry out unannounced inspections if they have reasonable suspicion that something is wrong — for example, a possible breach or fraud.
What Happens During an RPA Inspection?
During a site visit, an RPA inspector will:
- Verify your land use and boundaries against your claim or SFI agreement
- Check environmental management actions (like buffer strips, cover crops, or bird food plots)
- Review records and evidence to confirm that actions are being carried out properly
- Take photos, notes, and measurements as part of their report
If you’re selected for an inspection, the RPA will usually contact you to arrange a suitable date and time. Where that’s not possible, they’ll provide written notice of the visit’s purpose, date, and time at least 48 hours in advance.
However, under Regulation 17, the RPA can access your land without notice if there’s a reasonable suspicion of serious breaches, fraud, or related offences.
What Happens If You Fail an RPA Inspection?
Failing an inspection can have serious financial and reputational consequences.
If the RPA identifies a serious breach, they can:
- End your SFI agreement early
- Prevent you from receiving payments under any other government financial assistance scheme for up to two years
- Recover money already paid out
- Record the breach, which can impact future eligibility
A breach doesn’t have to be intentional. You could still face penalties if the issue was caused by negligence, recklessness, or repeated non-compliance — even if it was your employee or agent who made the mistake.
How Long Do You Need to Keep Your Farm Records?
The RPA requires farmers to keep all records and evidence for at least seven years from the end of the agreement or termination date.
This includes:
- Field operation logs
- Invoices for seed, fertiliser, and management work
- Maps, plans, and field photos
- Correspondence about your scheme actions
Having this information clearly stored and up to date is essential — and this is where JustFarm makes compliance far easier.
How to Pass an RPA Inspection (and Avoid Penalties)
Preparation is everything. The farms that pass inspections smoothly are the ones that stay compliant every day — not just when the RPA calls.
Here’s what you can do to stay ahead:
✅ Keep all SFI evidence in one place — photographs, invoices, dates, and actions per parcel.
✅ Check your field data regularly to ensure it matches your application.
✅ Monitor your actions (like buffer strips, wild bird mixes, or cover crops) to confirm they meet scheme rules.
✅ Stay updated on policy changes or action amendments throughout the year.
Sounds like a lot to manage? That’s where JustFarm comes in.
How JustFarm Keeps You Inspection-Ready All Year
With over 23,000 inspections taking place annually, farmers can’t afford to risk a missed action or lost record. JustFarmhelps you stay compliant, confident, and ready at all times — with no last-minute panic.
Here’s how we help:
- Smart Compliance Dashboard: See instantly which SFI actions are complete, what evidence you’ve logged, and what’s missing — in one central place.
- Automatic Scheme Alerts: Get notified when subsidy actions open, close, or change, so you never miss an opportunity or update.
- Field-Level Records: View your land, actions, and evidence parcel by parcel, making inspections faster and clearer.
- Audit-Ready Evidence: Store all required documents, photos, and logs securely so you can prove compliance instantly.
- Inspection Confidence: When the RPA arrives, you already have every record, date, and photo at your fingertips.
Instead of worrying about what you’ve missed, JustFarm gives you peace of mind that your farm is ready for inspection at any time.
What You Should Do If You’re Not Ready for an RPA Visit
If you’re unsure whether your evidence or compliance records are complete, don’t wait for a letter from the RPA.
Sign up to JustFarm now to:
- Check your compliance score
- Upload missing photos and field records
- Get alerts about key deadlines and inspection risks
- Make sure your SFI evidence is complete and traceable
You’ll know exactly where you stand, what needs improvement, and how to fix it — long before the inspector arrives.
Key Takeaway
RPA inspections aren’t going away — and with tighter oversight on SFI agreements, being inspection-ready is more important than ever.
By staying organised, recording every action, and using JustFarm to monitor compliance in real time, you can protect your payments, your reputation, and your peace of mind.
Start Preparing for Your Next RPA Inspection Today
Join thousands of farmers already using JustFarm to stay inspection-ready, avoid costly breaches, and manage their SFI actions with total confidence.
👉 Sign up for early access or book a quick demo to see how JustFarm can keep your farm compliant all year round.