Final call for Basic Payment Scheme applications

There are just two days left until the deadline closes for Basic Payment Scheme applications.

The last chance to submit applications in England and Scotland is midnight on Friday, 10 July.

In England, by Wednesday, 8 July, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) had received 88,105 applications.

See also: Upland farmers secure better BPS deal

Just over 850 applications had been submitted in the penalty period, from 16 June to 10 July.

The RPA has sent out final reminders via letter and email to those who have been emailed a BP5 application form, but are yet to apply.

Farmers who do not apply in the first year of BPS will lose their entitlements.

The agency is also reminding farmers that anyone applying in the penalty period will lose 1% of the value of their claim for every working day their form is delayed.

Farmers can also take their forms to one of six RPA drop-in centres up to 5pm on 10 July in Carlisle, Workington, Newcastle, York, Reading and Exeter.

Anyone who needs support with making a claim can contact the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301, Monday to Friday, 8:30am- 5pm.

Farmers are also being contacted to ask them to provide any missing information on their BP5 forms.

The deadline to submit BPS applications in Wales and Northern Ireland has already passed.