Defra has confirmed all eligible applications to the second round of the Countryside Productivity Small Grants Scheme (CPSGS) have been approved. Offers are expected to be sent out by the RPA as from 28th October and successful applicants will have until the end of May 2020 to buy the equipment and submit their claim. This […]
The RPA has sent ‘An Update’ to its customers. This provides information, not only on the BPS, but also the Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) which the Agency took administrative control over at the beginning of October. The Update can be found at – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rural-payments-agency-update-winter-2018. The key points in the update include: BPS 2018 2018 […]
Defra is in final negotiations with the EU Commission to be allowed to extend some of the current HLS Agreements. The NFU has been lobbying for extensions to fill the gap between the number of new Countryside Stewardship Higher-Tier Applications Natural England can support and the number of HLS agreements due to expire. The Commission […]
Payments for the 2018 BPS are due to commence from 1st December. In England it is possible to check to see how a claim is progressing by logging in to customers’ accounts on the Rural Payments site. Select ‘Basic Payment Scheme Application’ from the Business Overview page and then ‘Apply for BPS’. The status of […]
The Government has stepped-up its preparations for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit. On 23rd August it published 25 notices setting out what UK businesses and other stakeholders need to consider in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a comprehensive agreement in place. Over the coming weeks, additional technical notices will be published. In […]
The hot, dry weather is causing difficulties for some to meet scheme requirements; DEFRA has released guidance for those affected. Catch Crops – claimants who have declared Catch Crops to satisfy their EFA requirement under the BPS , should take all reasonable steps to establish the crop by 20th August deadline and keep the evidence […]
The Government has responded to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee’s report and recommendations on the performance of the Rural Payments Agency (see article of 21st May). On the recommendation that the RPA should set more stretching targets, the Government has said that the RPA is committed to reducing the length of time […]
England Natural England has received a number of requests for derogations due to the hot and dry weather, particularly to cut hay earlier than agreements allow due to early ripening. In situations where agreement holders are unable to meet the requirements of their agreement they can request a Derogation under Environmental Stewardship or a Minor […]
DEFRA has confirmed arrangements for those who are struggling to get their items delivered within the 150 day Countryside Productivity Small Grants Scheme deadline. For claimants experiencing these problems, it is possible to purchase the equipment, submit the claim within the 150 day deadline, but take delivery of the equipment after the 150 days and […]
Anyone who has struggled to submit their 2018 BPS forms over the past few weeks will not need reminding of the shortfalls of the Rural Payments Agency. However, the performance of the Agency has been criticised once again in a report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee of Parliament. The Committee found that […]