From today, Monday 2 December, farmers and land managers across England will start receiving their 2019 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) money.
All payments are made directly to bank accounts via BACS transfer so farmers should make sure the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has the most up-to-date account details. Once a payment has been made a remittance advice is sent in the post, confirming the amount paid. Claim statements will also be sent, explaining how payments have been worked out.
For 2019 all eligible Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship agreement holders will start receiving one full payment against their claim for the environmental work they do, rather than having this in two payments.
Farmers and land managers are paid for the work they do for the environment under these schemes – from providing habitats for wildlife to reducing the risk of flooding through natural flood management strategies.
Support of farmers is widely sought after following recent floods. As MIB wrote last month, Business Recovery Grants up to £2,500 were available from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to eligible small and medium-sized businesses which had suffered severe impacts from November floods.
Information about other rural grants and payments can be accessed here. At present, the UK’s government invites farmers to participate in the following rural development schemes:
- Countryside Productivity Scheme
- England Coast Path Establishment Fund (ECPEF)
- Environmental Stewardship: guidance and forms for agreement holders
- Farming Ammonia Reduction Grant Scheme: claim form and offer terms
- RDPE Growth Programme
- Rural Development Programme for England: LEADER funding
- Water Environment Grant (WEG) handbooks: guidance and forms
Image: Anton Atanasov
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