The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has today (Tuesday, March 15) opened the application window for the 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).
The claim window for customers with existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) revenue agreements has also opened.
The deadline for submitting an application without penalty is midnight on May 16, 2022.
Farmers and land managers can continue to submit claims up until June 10, but penalties will apply.
Applicants can update personal and business information and view and transfer BPS entitlements and land parcels all through the Rural Payments service online.
2022 Basic Payment Scheme
The financial ceiling for the 2022 BPS has been confirmed as £1,845,156,000 – the same as England’s 2021 ceiling.
However, further progressive reductions will apply to each farmer’s 2022 BPS payment as the payments continued to be phased out and new schemes introduced for the post-Brexit era.
This means the overall amount spent on BPS 2022 will be less than the ceiling.
However, one commonality to last year’s payments is – hopefully – the rate at which claims will be dealt with.
RPA chief executive Paul Caldwell said:
“I am pleased that last year we paid over 98% of all BPS claims in the first month. This year we are committed to match this target, and ensure timely payments to all farmers and land managers – but we strongly encourage all eligible farmers to submit their applications as soon as possible.
“We will continue to build on our performance while also supporting farmers across the country to make the most of the opportunities arising from the transition to the new farming schemes.”
