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BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME UPDATE

The 15th May 2015 BPS hand in date is fast approaching, and the new RPA online BPS system is still not fully functional.

As the RPA are still developing and rolling out the new online BPS system, it will not be possible to complete everything needed online in one go. Claims will need to be made step by step by collating information in readiness to be able to input this on the BPS system, culminating with a submission being made by midnight on 15th May 2015.

If you have not done so already and require assistance with your submission, it is important to contact us as soon as possible before it becomes a last minute rush, which could result in a late application and penalties being applied to a claim.

The four main steps to the claim are:

  1. The Business: Ensure that your business is registered with the RPA for the new online BPS system by calling the RPA on 03000 200 301. You will be supplied with a customer reference number and security code to then input online and access your business details. There is a 12 hour time limit before these expire. An application cannot be built until this process is complete.  Once registered you can check your business details, set permissions and add an agent.   This system can only be used for existing SPS customers, should you be a new customer who has not previously been registered with the RPA registration will need to be done online.
  2. Land: The mapping functionality is still encountering teething problems which the RPA are working on. The system is working slowly, or is down for maintenance, while they install updates.  You can currently view land parcels and input land use (cropping), identify Permanent Ineligible Features (PIFs) and map Ecological Focus Area (EFA) features, but as yet you cannot select areas as an EFA. It is anticipated that the functionality to add, delete, split, combine and transfer land parcels will be available on 16th or 17th March 2015.
  3. Entitlements: The system will include a facility to check, transfer and apply for new entitlements from the National Reserve. It is anticipated that the functionality to view and transfer entitlements will be available on 16th or 17th March 2015.
  4. Eligibility: At some stage you will have to declare on the system that a claimant is an ‘Active Farmer’. We are waiting for updates from the RPA as to when this section will be available.

Once all the steps are completed they will then feed into the final BPS claim submission. It is expected that the functionality to finalise and submit applications will be available in early April 2015.

The RPA have published “The Basic Payment Scheme in England 2015” booklet and are due to publish “What to Map” and “How to Map” any day now.

As you can see from the above, the BPS 2015 claim requires a shift in mind set from previous SPS applications. There is no form and everything will need to be inputted online and cannot be printed off or completed off line.

From the 31st March 2015 the RPA Single Payment online system will be closed down. We would recommend that you download any information you wish to retain (e.g. previous years’ submissions and entitlement and claim statements). Coinciding with this, you will not be able to request RLR plans from the RPA. We would therefore recommend you request a copy from the RPA now. It is worth noting that you will not be able to print full sets of maps off from the new BPS online system.

As information from the RPA is now constantly updating we will be posting updates on our website www.gscgrays.co.uk in the lead up the 15th May 2015. If you would like to register for our email news bulletins, please send an email to innovation@gscgrays.co.uk .

If you need any assistance with your BPS claim, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team.

[team-member name=”Lucinda Riddell”]

[team-member name=”Phil Scott-Priestley”]
[team-member name=”Will Parker”]

[team-member name=”John Wallis”]

[team-member name=”Alexander Morrison”]

 

 

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