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BPS 2017 - What You Need To Know

In about a month, the RPA will be opening the application window for the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme applications.

This comes with good and bad news:

The bad news is that the system is still clumsy and complicated.

The good news is that there are relatively few changes since last year:

Applications are still encouraged to be online. For those that have submitted a paper application last year (and didn't use an agent), then you will receive your BP5 form to claim as normal.

There are still 3 greening requirements (Ecological Focus Areas, Crop Diversification and Permanent Grassland). You may not have to adhere to all of these depending on your holding, and what you are growing.

Spring/Winter cropping lists are the same as previous years.

You can now transfer land and entitlements online (previously required a separate RLE1 form to be submitted).

All of this won't be too daunting to some, but the RPA still make it remarkably easy to make a mistake with your submissions.

What do I need to do now?

For most, not much - it'll be worth dusting off the old diary where you wrote down your customer reference number (CRN), Single Business Idenitifier (SBI) and associated password - you can still login to the system at this point, so it's worth checking all of your land is there, and there aren't any major omissions in the mapping.

Apart from that, it's a case of playing the waiting game until the application window opens.

If none of the above makes a word of sense, then please do get in touch if you would like some help.

Seems too good to be true?

Well, it nearly is. As usual, there's changes to the cross compliance regulations. Fortunately there's not many, and I've summarised them in another post:

Click here to learn about the changes to cross compliance in 2017

The RPA have made a short video on inspections, which can be viewed on the gov.uk website by clicking here.

Help!!

We have significant experience in overseeing and submitting all relevant paperwork for the Basic Payment Scheme applications, including ironing out any creases with the RPA if necessary. In addition, we are also able to advise on applications for Countryside Stewardship, and other grants that may be available.

If we are able to help, then please feel free to contact Tom Hyde on 07790 091 091 or alternatively email tom@rural.group

Tom.

[ruralltd]

Moving to Pastures New

I'm writing in the period between Christmas and New Year, a few days before this website actually launches. In three days time, I will be handing my notice in at Balcombe, and starting to prepare to move back to Lincolnshire.

It's an exciting time - I'm looking forward to being able to provide the service I have always wanted to, for the reasons that I entered the profession in the first place.

Throughout years of working on farms in Lincolnshire, I noted that professional services was one of those things that tended to be feared. Not because the advice was bad. Quite the opposite infact. There were plenty of rural professionals giving outstanding advice to clients across the area.

However, there were few which farmers and landowners felt were approachable. Friendly. Someone who didn't tell them how to run their business, or belittle their decisions.

My view with professional services is not typical of the industry. I do not see it as a means to make money, nor a way of enforcing authority. I see it as a way I can use my experience and help people.

And helping people is not a quality, that, in my experience, is something that clients often associate in professional advice.

However hopefully, that is about to change. I'm looking forward to posting regularly to let everyone know what I'm up to, hopefully flag up any important issues and finally (hopefully) get the opportunity to meet as many of you as possible.

I will finish by making no apologies for a phrase which I will use alot - please do get in touch if I can help.

And Happy New Year to everyone!!

Tom.

(P.S for those that want to know a little more about who I am, you can see my about page here)

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This is a test post

TH, May 2017