AREA AID APPLICATIONS FOR FARMERS GO ONLINE VIA THE GOVERNMENT GATEWAY AND EQUIFAX
Equifax Europe continues to support the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in its drive to increase the number of farmers applying for IACS Area Aid Applications online. Through its digital certificate service, SecureMark, Equifax enables a secure as well as convenient way for farmers to apply online.
British farmers and selected agricultural agents have been able to apply online for European Area Aid Subsidies since the launch of the service in May 2001. This is part of the Government’s plans to provide full electronic services to the public and a range of UK businesses through its Government Gateway, a centralised registration service for e-Government services. With more than 50,000 farmers now able to utilise the Internet to support their business operations, online IACS Area Aid Applications are a valuable means of easilyand securely making electronic transactions.
Equifax SecureMark certificates have been integral to the growth of the Government Gateway, bringing protected connections and the highest levels of security for a range of transactions. The process of obtaining a SecureMark digital certificate is quick and easy and, once obtained, a certificate can be used for filing other forms through the Government Gateway, including VAT forms, export declarations and self-assessment forms for the Inland Revenue.
Michael Shannon, Managing Director, Equifax PLC comments: “Equifax is delighted to be continuing to work with the Government Gateway initiative, by providing immediate deliverable solutions that guarantee confidentiality, authenticity and integrity.”
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February 2003
