The number of North West based farmers who’ve successfully registered for the new Basic Payment Scheme increased from 19% to 27% in a two week period at the beginning of February.
The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is the means by which EU funding under the Common Agricultural Policy is distributed to UK farmers. It replaced the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) on 1st January 2015.
With many farmers having no digital footprint, the NFU knew problems would arise when the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) stated its intention to roll out an entirely internet based system for the BPS application process.
Farmers were asked, as an individual, to register for the new system and check details online, and in order to get through this process they needed various pieces of information relating to their finances which would then go through a formal verification process handled by a proprietary credit checking agency.
NFU North West Regional Director, Robert Sheasby, said: “In order to help members through this process, the NFU in the North West organised a series of meetings where we explained to farmers exactly what they needed to do to help this process run smoothly. NFU lobbying also resulted in the RPA setting up a telephone registration system for those unable to get online. This was a major victory for the union and one which should enable the vast majority of our members to easily register for the new payment scheme.”
In total the NFU held 20 ‘BPS help’ meetings in Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire between 2nd February and 16th February - assisting 850 farmer and grower members.
In Cumbria the NFU saw nearly a quarter of its entire membership. The county’s adviser, Jenny Willis, said: “It was good to be able to help so many members attending the registration meetings. It was helpful that RPA staff also attended to help answer members’ queries. For farmers who are not confident about using a computer, or have poor broadband service, please contact the RPA to make an appointment to use one of their digital support centres.”
NFU Cheshire County Adviser, Aarun Naik, added: “The easiest way to register is via the RPA helpline number 03000 200 301. This line is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 2pm. The registration process must be completed within 12 hours of the phone call by logging onto the Rural Payments website.”
NFU Lancashire County Adviser, Adam Briggs, said: “If you’ve registered successfully and know other farmers who haven’t, please inform them of the positives and encourage them to follow suit.”
The NFU in the North West will be running a further series of meetings across the region to explain the next step in the application process.
These meetings will focus more on what actually needs to be declared on the form, what is eligible and what isn’t and what codes need to be used for different crops.
