Defra releases more BPS eligibility guidance
Further details on the new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) which comes into force in January 2015 have emerged which could have a significant effect on farming businesses in the area, writes Charlotte Rogerson.
The BPS replaces the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and Defra has published further guidance particularly in relation to eligibility through the Active Farmer Test and online registration via the new CAP Information Service (CAPIS).
Additional information on greening has been released, including what counts as a crop for crop diversification, and there is also more detail on dual use, solar panels, soil management and organic land.Landowners and farmers who did not transfer their excess entitlements before October 21, 2014 will be able to transfer these to an active farmer before May 15, 2015.
This includes farmers who do not have more than five entitlements who would not be eligible for the BPS Scheme. They will be able to transfer entitlements, or buy them if they have eligible land to claim upon. The transfer of entitlements will be immediate. To claim the BPS you must be an active farmer.
Most of the criteria has been set for the Young Farmers top-up payment. To be eligible, farmers must have taken control over their holding (more than 50 per cent responsibility) and not be more than 40 years of age in the year of their first BPS application.
The business structure must be genuine and not manufactured for the purpose of the application.
More information has been put on CAPIS, the new online application system, but the service is still not available. It will be introduced gradually to avoid a crash if everyone logs on at once.
Defra has confirmed that SPS applicants will be sent a registration pack between now and early 2015 outlining the steps involved to register online.
We would advise farmers to contact us as soon as they receive the pack so we are able to register them well in advance of their first BPS application in 2015.
* Charlotte Rogerson is a chartered surveyor and can be can be contacted at Berrys on (01743) 290642 email charlotte.rogerson@berrybros.com
