The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2020 - Issue 68 | Page 16

16 FARM NEWS APR/MAY 2020 • farmers-mart.co.uk Basic Payment Scheme and Countryside Stewardship scheme windows extended to help farmers as they face the challenges surrounding Covid-19 The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) have announced a one- month extension for farmers and landowners to apply for vital Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) funding as well as to make a claim for existing Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) funding due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak; allowing them to make a submission without being penalised for a late application. THE BPS deadline, usually 15th May each New funding to support dairy farmers through coronavirus A new fund will enable eligible dairy farmers in England to access up to £10,000 each to help them overcome the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. ENGLAND’S dairy farmers will be able to access up to £10,000 each to help them overcome the impact of the corona- virus outbreak. Today’s announce- ment is the latest action from the government to support dairy farmers, building on the unprece- dented levels of support already announced by the Chancellor With some dairy farmers facing financial difficulties and excess milk, the new fund will provide support for those most in need. Eligible dairy farmers will be entitled to up to £10,000 each, to cover 70% of their lost income during April and May to ensure they can continue to operate and sustain production capacity without impacts on animal welfare. Environment Secretary George Eustice said: Our dairy industry plays a crucial role in feeding our nation and we are doing all we can to ensure they are properly sup- ported during this time. We will continue to stand alongside our dairy farmers through this difficult period. Eligible dairy farmers who have lost more than 25% of their income over April and May due to coronavirus disrup- tions will be eligible to access this funding for those qualifying months, with no cap set on the number of farmers who can receive this support or on the total funding available. www.gov.uk/government/ news/new-funding-to- support-dairy-farmers- through-coronavirus year, is a fundamental date in the farming calendar. Many farmers rely on these payments to meet their ongoing running costs year on year. In some cases, due to the introduction of social distancing measures, farmers have faced obstacles when communicating with their agents in regard to their BPS applications and CSS claims. We know that BPS is set to be phased out from 2021-2027, making it more important than ever to submit a thorough application on time. Commenting on the deadline extension, Tom Oates, Director at youngsRPS said: “The impending and fast approaching phased removal of BPS and reduction of other financial aid has been at the fore- front of our minds for some time now; our message to our clients over the past few years has been to take advantage of these schemes whilst they are still around. The lockdown has undoubtedly caused com- munication issues between farmers and their agents, creating obstacles surround- ing their funding applications as well as other rural matters. It would be damaging to the industry if farmers missed out on the opportunity to claim financial aid due to the outbreak. We have been very lucky at youngsRPS as we have the technology and communication infrastructure in Tom Oates, Director at youngsRPS place to continue work for our clients without interruption, ensuring that our clients are prepared for the 15th May BPS deadline.” Farmers now have until 15th June 2020 to submit BPS applications and Stewardship claims to the RPA. The period for amending claims without penalty has also been extended to 30 June 2020. It is though worth noting that existing deadlines for High Tier and Mid Tier Stewardship applications remain the same being the 1st of May and the 31st of July 2020 respectively, although these are understood to be under review and we will be monitoring this. Tom continued: “Despite the extension, I must urge farmers and landowners not to delay their applications and claims; as always, it is vital that you are prepared. As a firm we have very much been working as normal within the parame- ters of government advice, however for anyone who as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and/or other pressures is having trouble with their submissions then the extensions will be welcome news. If we can be of any assistance in meeting the deadline then please do get in touch.” To get in touch with touch with Tom, please contact [email protected] or call 01665 606800.