1) Don’t delay anymore – the 2016 BPS Deadline is 16 May
If you’ve not started your application, please do so without delay.
All the guidance and support you need can be found in two places, the RPA website, here, and NFUonline, here. You’ll find all the forms and information to complete a paper or online form. You’ll have been sent guidance on how to apply, but there’s plenty more online to reflect on, including the BPS Handbook. If you are going online for the whole application, look out for any planned downtime to avoid frustration and delay in submitting the claim. And if you’ve not yet checked that you can actually get to the online systems, please do so now.
Remember, if you completed an SPS claim online in 2014, you will not get a paper form this year, the same goes if an agent submitted the form on your behalf in 2014.
May 9 is the last day to ask RPA for a paper form to make sure it’s received by 12 May, giving you time to complete and submit it by 16 May. And 6 May is last day to email the RPA to ask for land parcels to be added to online claims on the Rural Payments service.
2) Issues with your 2015 BPS claim, or payment, and claiming BPS this year
There’s guidance available in the form of the RPA’s ‘BPS 2016: Hints and tips on making your application’. You might also read my blog, here.
The RPA is urging all those with concerns over their 2015 payment to write to them explaining the issues. The letter / email needs to have ‘BPS 2015 payment’ in the title or heading to help RPA deal with them separately to 2016 claim correspondence.
3) Getting it right for 2016… one final check?
Remember that your greening requirements need to be reviewed on an annual basis – did you know the RPA has produced a Greening Workbook to help you ensure your greening is correct this year? Also consider the Active Farmer requirements and remember to complete the declarations. Whether you have submitted your application or not, carrying out a final check or clarifying any doubts is crucial. You still have time to make any amendments up to 31 May (unless you have been notified of an inspection) without penalty.
4) Don’t guess BPS; seek help if you are unsure
Call either the RPA on 03000 200 301 or NFUCallfirst on 0370 845 8458 for help.
5) The Inspector Test - does what appears on your form tie in with what is, or should be, on the ground?
Remember, your land has to remain BPS eligible for the entire calendar. Please remember the RPA will be carrying out checks for BPS eligibility, greening and cross compliance in the coming months. If you’ve completed your BPS claim, then make sure your records are in order in case you are checked. Now is the time to refresh your cross compliance knowledge too – there’s a new cross compliance handbook for 2016, here.
6) Keep evidence - have you got a receipt?
If using a paper form or submitting paper information to the RPA, keep a copy of everything you’ve sent. If using the online system, print off the final PDF online summary, and even screen shots of the basis of the claim.
7) Submitting paper forms or supporting documents to the RPA?
Remember to get any paper documents to RPA by the 16 May BPS deadline. Remember to get a receipt showing everything that you have submitted. If posted, make sure a receipt does come – put a reminder in your NFU diary!
8) Another year for a covering letter?
If you are at all concerned about the application process and need to explain issues, then write a letter to the RPA.
9) Hand delivery of forms
There are only 14 locations around the country this year where you can drop off forms and supporting paperwork. Know where they are and when they are open – details here.
10) Got an ELS / HLS or new 2016 Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreement?
Remember to complete the annual declaration and submit it by 16 May.
Watch out for more reminders next week...