BPS Update
As at the start of February 2016, many farmers will not have received their 2015 BPS payments. The RPA is under increasing pressure to make these payments and we hope that the majority will be made in the next few weeks.
The 2016 BPS year is underway and the RPA are already giving indications that the new electronic application system may not be fully operational in time for the required submissions. We will have to wait and see if paper submissions will be required for some in 2016, as it was intended that all applications were to be made online from 2015.
Although the new Countryside Stewardship (CS) process started last year many have claimed the application process to be overcomplicated and as a result new applications have been lower than anticipated. There has been much lobbying to get a simplified scheme in place, but we are only likely to see slight modifications this year. CS is now a competitive process with applicants judged against one another. We expect an increase in interest in new schemes this year in order to bolster reduced farm incomes and as more farmers come out of historic agreements with Natural England.
Please get in touch if you need support with any BPS claims, entitlement transfers or new CS applications.
Related posts
Many farmers and land managers will have selected options and entered new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements from 2024. In order to satisfy the requirements of these agreements if
Farm diversification is a hotter topic than ever, with reduced BPS support and the new SFI Scheme leaving quite a gap in farm income levels. With planning support and
Partnership agreements are, without doubt, the most common business structure for farms in the UK. Partnerships are often undocumented and a bit of mystery, used by families solely to
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government are consulting on draft amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) until 24th September. Proposed changes will apply across England
The Environment Agency has recently recruited 84 agricultural Regulatory Inspection Officers to inspect farms and support farmers to protect the environment. The country has been divided into river catchments,
Shropshire based Rural Property and Compulsory Purchase experts, Wilson Fearnall, has announced the appointment of a qualified Rural Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered valuer as its experienced team expands.
