With just a week left to got before the 15th June BPS deadline, and with thousands of claims outstanding, the Rural Payments Agency has extended the opening hours at most of its drop-in centres.

RPA revealed on Monday that it had received almost 60,000 completed Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications - more than two-thirds of the estimated total number - however, the Agency is asking farmers with outstanding claims to submit their applications as soon as possible. The NFU has urged farmers to submit applications in person to ensure they arrive on time and to profit from the RPA's check and receipt service, as there are now only a few days left before the deadline for submissions.  

Opening hours at many of the Agency’s 50 drop-in centres around the country have been extended, including weekend opening hours on 14th and 15th June and some centres will remain open up to midnight on the final day on which applications can be delivered (Monday 15th June). Full details of centre locations and opening times can be found on an interactive map on the government website.

A phone service has also been set up to allow farmers who applied by post to check their claim has been received by the Agency. RPA is also issuing reminder texts, letters and emails to those agents and farmers who have yet to claim and contacting farmers whose claims have been checked and require further information.  

On Monday, RPA’s Customer Director Justin Chamberlain commented, “At this stage, farmers and agents are advised to hand in their claim form at their nearest drop-in centre or mobile support unit, rather than rely on the postal service. If you do decide to post, be sure to use a signed-for, next-day delivery service.

“If you have already posted your form to us, from this week you can now check if we have received it by using our automated service. Call our helpline on 03000 200 301 and have your SBI ready.”

RPA mobile support units will be available at a number of locations this week, including agricultural shows Cereals (10th-11th June, Stand 910) and the Royal Three Counties (12th-14th June, Stand 3009).

Support units will be available at the following locations this week:

• 9th June: Lyndhurst Community Centre (main car park, off High Street), Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7NY 3pm to 9pm
• 9th June: Southern County Auctioneers, Salisbury Agricultural Centre, Salisbury Road, Netherhampton, SP2 8RH 9am to 2pm
• 10th June: Truro Livestock Centre, Newquay Road, Truro, TR1 1RH 9am to 2pm
• 10th June: Richardson & Smith, Ruswarp Market, Ruswarp, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 5JA 9am to 2:30pm
• 10th June: Barbers Auctions Ltd, Market Drayton Livestock Market, Adderley Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3SW 9:30am to 3pm
• 11th June: Kington Livestock Market, Love Lane, Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3BT 9am to 2pm
• 12th June: Frome Livestock Auctioneers Ltd, Frome Market, Standerwick, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2QB 9:30am to 2:30pm
• 13th June: Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Greenslade Taylor and Hunt, Somerset, North Petherton, TA6 6DF 9am to 3pm
• 15th June: Darlington farmers Auction Mart Co. Ltd, Bank Top Mart, Clifton Road, Darlington, DL1 5DU 8am to 3pm