What are the key messages from the leaflet? The leaflet focuses on:
* when and how farmers should expect to hear from the RPA about their 2015 BPS claims
* reminds farmers to let the RPA know if they have changed their bank details recently
* advises them that email will be used as the primary means of contacting them in the future
* confirms the exchange rate for 2015 BPS payments
* advises farmers how to avoid being a victim of fraud
* when announcements on payment rates for BPS, including entitlement values, greening payments rate and young farmer payment will be made
* when RPA will be contacting members to let them know if their application for entitlements from the National Reserve has been successful or if a transfer of existing entitlements has been processed
* that RPA will be issuing a remittance advice slip when a BPS payment is made, followed up by claim breakdown via a claim statement and an entitlement statement to help explain the BPS payment made
* information about the 2016 and 2015 Financial Discipline adjustments
The leaflet also critically notifies recipients of the recently published online only 2016 Greening Guidance.
How and when will members receive this leaflet? The RPA have begun to send this leaflet out in paper form to all 88,000 farmers and agents who submitted a BPS 2015 application. It should be with members over the next couple of weeks.
Why is this document being issued? – The NFU has lobbied RPA to keep claimants updated with developments as we near the 2015 BPS payment window. This document is the result. We lobbied for the RPA to issue a paper update to all. We also lobbied RPA to warn claimants about fraud as well as remind them to keep RPA up to date with key information.
What other work is the NFU doing around BPS 2015 payments? – NFU is monitoring and challenging the progress of BPS 2015 claim processing to ensure full and correct payments are issued as soon as possible. The NFU have also been lobbying for RPA to have the resource in place to support farmers where problems arise in terms of late payment or reduced payments. NFU is also working with RPA to produce guidance around the key claim and entitlement statements, so claimants understand their payments when they are made.
Where can I find more information on BPS 2015? For more information on BPS 2015 please visit www.gov.uk/rpa/bps.
If members have any Questions? Call NFU Callfirst on 0370 8458458.