Top 5 key points for submitting your 2017 BPS application:
- If you’re applying online, ensure you have your log in details to access rural payments online and have the right permission to submit the application. If you are submitting a paper application, you should have already received it through the post. If not, you need to request it by 9 May by calling the RPA on 03000 200 301.
- Check the guidance before completing the application, it is all available at www.gov.uk/guidance/bps-2017 along with forms you may need to post to the RPA (for example RLE1 form to amend mapping errors).
- Check that all your land parcels are showing correctly in the land use table online, or the paper field data sheet and cross reference these with your maps online and your own 2017 farm records. No one will receive paper maps from the RPA again this year. Remove any land parcels that you are not farming or not using for an agri-environment scheme, and request RPA adds any land parcels that are missing (or get the previous farmer to transfer them to your online). Then update the land use for this year’s cropping. If using rural payments online, generate & download a new summary to check all the changes have been applied correctly before submitting, that includes checking that the land areas are activated in column C8.
- Complete the declarations and submit any supporting documents that form part of the application (more information on supporting documents can be found here), including carefully reading and responding to the Active Farmer question.
- Finally, don’t miss the deadline! Even if you haven’t finished completing your application by 15 May, you can still submit it and you then have up to 31 May to make amendments without penalty (or up to 9 June with penalty), providing you haven’t been notified of an inspection. Remember supporting documents like Young Farmer Scheme supporting documents or RLE1 forms need to get to the RPA by 15 May. Ensure you have kept a copy of what you have submitted and proof RPA have received your claim/supporting documents. Act now if in any doubt.
If you are uncertain on what you need to do, please call NFU Callfirst on 0370 8458458.