At the time of writing the Rural Payments Agency have paid 57,700 claims from the 2015 claim year in England, approximately 65% of the 90,000 claims in England. These payments have been sporadically paid into farmers’ bank accounts from the 1st of December, and the RPA insist that 81% of payments will be made by the end of January. If it is going to be any later, then you should have received a letter from the RPA explaining this.

There is concern that mapping changes and Common Land is holding up payments. There is some truth in this, but we also have a large number of clients who have received their payments even though their 2015 form consisted of many changes and alterations. Once your payment is safely in your account it is wise to check you have been paid the correct amount. The payment will be followed by a remittance advice, but the important document to check is the claim statement and these will be posted to all claimants from February onwards. If you think you have been paid the wrong amount ring your local FCG office and we will be able to help you calculate your correct amount.

Many people are also receiving the second half of their 2015 stewardship payment this January. Although administered through Natural England, the RPA pay you the money, so try not to get this figure confused with BPS payments and remittance advice.

Details of the 2016 application process have not yet been confirmed, but there are rumours of both a paper and electronic version of the form. Further details will be released in February and we have to work on the 15th May as the deadline for applications.

Contact Will at willhyde@fcgagric.com or your local FCG office with your BPS queries.