England Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2021
The 2021 application window for the BPS opened in March and is available to complete on Rural Payments Service. Midnight on 17th May 2021 is the deadline for the following:
- BPS Application Forms
- Entitlement & Land Transfers
- Annual Revenue claims for existing Countryside Stewardship Agreement Holders
Farmers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure they are submitted ahead of the deadline; however you should only be declaring all land that is at your disposal for 17th May 2021.
If your BPS application requires supporting documentation this can be submitted without penalty up to 11th June 2021.
A number of simplifications have been made to the BPS this year, in the hope of reducing the burden on farmers as focus switches to transferring to the new system. This includes minor changes to Cross-Compliance, an increased use of warning letters and offers of advice over farmers receiving a penalty as the default response to a breach of the rules. It was also announced in 2020 that the greening requirements would be removed in 2021, although these will be removed for the 2021 BPS, farmers will still have to meet the minimum standard on the environment, animal and plant health and animal welfare. This includes meeting the existing Cross Compliance rules on hedges and buffer strips.
If you require additional information, support or guidance in completing and submitting your BPS form, please contact Ellie Watkins, ellie@agriadvisor.co.uk