Deadline date for Basic Payment Scheme

With less than a month to go until the Basic Payment Scheme application deadline of 15th May, we hope that the majority of our rural clients are aware that this is fast approaching. The wet weather has led to many changes in crop planning but the removal of the 3 crop rule has helped avoid one problem.

Although in normal circumstances we do not advise making changes after the deadline, the Rural Payments Agency do allow changes until 31st May  without penalty to applications already submitted. And, for anyone who misses the 15th May deadline, there is an extended deadline for late BPS applications or late amendments to 10th June, but this will incur penalties of 1% per day.

On a lighter note, 30th June brings the end of Ecological Focus Area periods for fallow land and Nitrogen Fixing Crops.

Last but not least, EFA Catch crops must be established by 20th August and retained until at least 14th October and EFA Cover crops must be established by 1st October and retained until at least 15th January. If you require assistance with any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact our rural team on 01423 860322.