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Know How / BPS

We bring you the latest news on the delivery of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

See updates and advice on how to apply for the BPS, discover how to avoid some of the common problems which could hold up your claim and track payment progress as the year progresses.

Advice and tips

TAX

Loss of BPS value could cut CGT bill on other assets

BPS 2023 claims in England must be made by midnight on 15 May. After this, entitlements will have no value and will no longer be tradeable. Those who bought, were…

BPS

BPS claims: Hints and tips for 2023

The Basic Payment Scheme scheme may be well-established, but there are always aspects with the potential to trip up applicants. As the deadline for applications in all regions approaches on…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

New factors in final trading year for BPS entitlements

The final year of being able to buy and sell English Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlements is seeing a slow start to trade in a market that is very difficult…

FARM POLICY

Tips to survive and thrive amid falling BPS payments

The UK agricultural sector is undergoing the biggest policy shake-up in 60 years, and government support for farmers is facing a radical overhaul. Defra has started its new Environmental Land…

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Case studies

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

How the Monitor farms plan to restructure to fill BPS gap

Making significant savings and finding other income streams are the two top priorities for the four East Midlands Monitor Farms, as they plan for the post-Brexit future. The loss of…

BPS

How a Sussex arable farmer is preparing for the ELM scheme

Taking 16% of his arable land out of production and introducing measures which will improve the farm’s natural capital are how West Sussex grower Mark Chandler is preparing his arable…

ARABLE

Future of subsidies: Collaborate to cope with lower support

In the second of our series on coping with lower subsidies, David Jones talks to one arable farmer, who is also chairman of his local grain co-operative, about his long-term plans…

ARABLE

Future of subsidies: Rely on contractors and diversify crops

In the first of a series of articles on how to cope with an expected lower level of subsidy, we talk to a Cambridgeshire grower who is preparing for life…

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Insights

ELM

Analysis: Time for a closer look as SFI opens for business

With the latest iteration of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) due to open for applicants on Monday (18 September), a growing number of farmers in England will be asking themselves…

ELM

Analysis: What Defra’s ELM update means for farmers

Six years in the making, it is finally here. Defra has given farmers in England much-needed clarity on how it plans to support them to deliver environmental outcomes which underpin…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

LFA and 'coupled' supports at risk in Scottish policy plans

Money paid to Scottish farmers in the form of less favoured area (LFA) support and as “coupled” aid to suckler beef and upland sheep producers must be retained as direct…

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News

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

'Controlled' rollout of SFI to cause further payment delays

Defra has indicated that it is likely to take several weeks before most farmers in England can apply for the new Sustainable Farming Incentive as the Rural Payments Agency seeks…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Commoners to submit paper SFI 2023 application amid IT woes

Common land farmers in England face having to submit their applications for Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme on paper due to computer technical issues, Farmers Weekly can exclusively reveal.…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Defra pushes back SFI launch to mid-September

Defra has delayed the launch of its Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for eligible farmers in England to mid-September. Farmers Weekly exclusively revealed last Wednesday (23 August) that technical issues looked…

BPS

Northern Ireland farmers to receive BPS in September

Farmers in Northern Ireland are due to receive their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) funding in early September, providing a welcome boost to cashflow. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural…

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Opinion

BPS

Opinion: What farmers need from Brexit

While breakfasting at my local agricultural show, I find myself sat next to a well-respected land agent (if that is not a contradiction in terms).   As we munched our way through…

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Video

ARABLE

Video: Farmers have their say on future of subsidies

A large majority of farmers have been reacting positively to future subsidy decline, with over three-quarters saying they have a plan for their business to cope with less support after…

BPS

Record numbers apply online for BPS 2016

A record number of English farmers and landowners submitted their 2016 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications online, the Rural Payments Agency has said. More than 85,500 of an estimated 87,500…

BPS

RPA guidance on filling out your 2016 BPS application

With the application window for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme now open, the RPA has reported a reasonable uptake of its online service. Figures to 30 March show that more than 2,000 applications have been…

RPA releases video guide on BPS 2016

The Rural Payments Agency has produced a short video explaining how farmers and landowners can get their applications under way for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme. The agency announced on…

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