Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2023

The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2023 scheme has opened for applications and the RPA is recommending that applicants check their digital maps – other funding such as the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship schemes use the same information and need to be compatible with the BPS land use codes declared. The Countryside Stewardship (CS) Revenue Claim declarations and Environmental Stewardship (ES) revenue claims also opened on 14th March. The deadline for BPS, CSS & ES 2023 claims and also the transfer of BPS entitlements is May 15th 2023.

The Basic Payment scheme is being replaced with delinked BPS payments from 2024. An eligible BPS claim must be made in 2023 to receive delinked payments from 2024 – 2027. These are based on the average of BPS payments in the reference period of 2020 – 2022 with progressive reductions until they are phased out at the end of 2027.

The new CS Mid-Tier application window opened on 21st March with a deadline of 18th August for new agreements to start on 1st January 2024.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is the base level scheme for farmers joining the new Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS). The SFI rewards farmers for providing public goods under 8 different “standards” of management. 2 are available now and 6 more are expected in the summer.

 To find out more, visit https://ruralpayments.blog.gov.uk/2023/03/14/window-opens-for-basic-payment-scheme-applications/

Or Environmental Land Management (ELM) update: how government will pay for land-based environment and climate goods and services – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you’d like help with your own submission or you have any queries, Lister Haigh (Yorkshire) Limited would be pleased to assist with this. Contact Catherine Johnston, Giles Chaplin or Sam Harris on 01423 860322 or email catherinejohnston@listerhaigh.co.uk