Susan Archer is the NFU’s specialist advice team manager, a role which includes responsibility for our CallFirst advice line for members.
She writes:
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Nine of our 14 specialist advisors have been trained to deal with these calls which now average 30+ a day, following the recent change to a paper-based system. Last week in particular saw a 65% increase in the volume of calls.
The advisors can deal with anything from general questions on to how fill in the BP5 form, to more specific queries, which have included anything from the crop coding for cricket bat willow to whether pheasant pens are ineligible features.
If the specialist advice and NFU BPS policy team are unable to answer your questions then we will put the questions to the Rural Payments Agency. Answers received to date from the RPA can be found on our Q&A section on NFUonline.
In order to be able to deal with queries, the specialist advisors have been kept up-to-date on a daily basis as the scheme has evolved. Remember that all guidance is now in the RPA’s publication The Basic Payment Scheme 2015, which replaces all previous guidance. It is also helpful to refer to How to Apply for the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme in England when filling in your BP5 from.
Despite the increase in calls, BPS is not the only area we offer advice on. We can also help members on a host of other issues; anything from employment and planning to food and transport law.