This can be done by logging onto Rural Payments Online, and clicking ‘view entitlements’ on the business overview page. You can look back every year until 2015, viewing the amount of entitlements that have been used/unused each year and whether any have been leased or lost to the National Reserve.
While doing this, it is the ideal time to double check that all you personal details are up to date. Read our briefing here to find out why you need to check your personal details now.
It is important to note that any leased entitlements will automatically return to the lessor at the end of the lease period.
You will not receive any contact from RPA informing you that the lease has ended and the entitlements have been returned.
The lessor can notify RPA if they wish to end the lease early or extend the lease, this can be done by letter or email.
The lessee is only able to end the lease early, which can be done by notifying RPA by letter or email.
We have seen cases in the past where farmers have not picked up that leased in entitlements have been automatically returned to the lessor at the end of the lease.
This has lead to a situation where the following BPS payment is less than planned, due to the fact that the number of entitlements held are less than expected, as the returned leased entitlements are not held by the claiming farmer.
More from NFUonline:
- BPS: What do I need to do in the office and on the ground?
- BPS 2021: Greening in England
- ELMs webinar: Your questions answered
- Watch again: Farming schemes - 10 things you need to know now
- NFU Live: Events from the NFU this autumn
