Strutt & Parker create digital template to assist farmers with greening compliance following final RPA announcements.

Following the reversion to paper of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), the deadline has been extended from 15th May to 15th June 2015.  

George Badger of Strutt & Parker’s Cambridge office says, “This extension should not be seen as a chance to put off applying for BPS.  Farmers should also be aware that the extra time does not apply to RLE1 Entitlement Transfers or Natural England claim forms, both of which still have a deadline of 15th May”.

Blank BP5 forms, continuation sheets, and ‘How to apply guidance’, are all now available online from GOV.UK. Pre-populated BP5 forms will start to be sent out by email this week.  Applicants should be aware that due to yesterday’s announcements and further information on applying for BPS, multiple line deletions and re-insertions may be required on pre-populated forms to allow for split parcels of EFA features, Temporary Ineligible Features and any un-mapped Permanent Ineligible Features.

George Badger continues, “As with all grant application forms, the BP5 can appear complicated and needs very careful consideration.  For example the form does not have a box for the claimant to double check that they are compliant with the 5% Ecological Focus Areas and Crop Diversification guidelines.  However, Strutt & Parker have created a digital template of the BP5 form for drafting claims which will automatically calculate and check the Greening requirements on a summary page”.

To obtain a copy of the digital template or to have assistance in any aspect of BPS farmers should contact their local Strutt & Parker farming team.