Although you may only just have received your 2016 BPS payment, it is very nearly the time to think about the 2017 application.  The RPA have announced that they will be opening the online system in early March, along with the release of the 2017 scheme rules.  These are not expected to have any significant changes to the 2016 scheme year rules.  It is however, always worth reminding yourself of the greening rules (where applicable), as follows:

Crop diversification: If your land includes over 10ha of arable land, then must meet the greening crop diversification rules.  These rules require you to grow (a minimum of) either two or three crops, depending on the amount of arable land that you have.  Given the arable farming cycle, farmers should plan ahead with their crop diversification requirements to ensure compliance with the greening rules for 2017.

Ecological Focus Areas: If your farm includes more than 15ha of arable land, then it is likely that you will be required to dedicate at least 5% of that arable land as EFA’s.

Exceptions: There are some exceptions to the crop diversification and EFA rules, for example if you are organic or over 75% of the land is permanent grassland.

EFA fallow land in 2017: If you intend to declare EFA fallow land during the 2017 scheme year, please remember that the fallow period is from 1 January until 30 June (inclusive).  This is different to the fallow land entered under the crop diversification requirements.

Implications for 2017: The EFA cover crop options in the 2016 scheme year require cover crops to be established by 1st October 2016, and retained until 15th January 2017.  You can however, claim the same land as EFA fallow land from 1st January 2017 as it applies to a different scheme year.

With the application window opening earlier this year, it is worth logging into your RPA online account to check all your land and any changes that have been made since last year’s application was made.

For further advice or help with your 2017 Basic Payment Scheme application, please contact Sophie at sophiecligg@fcgagric.com or your local FCG office.