Over 85,500 applications submitted for 2016 BPS

With over 85,500 applications submitted on time for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is reminding anyone yet to apply that they can still do so until midnight on 10 June.

Claims submitted during the penalty period after the 16 May deadline will incur a 1% penalty for each working day they are late.

RPA received more than 69,100 online applications for BPS 2016 ahead of the deadline. More than 16,400 additional paper applications have also been received – and this figure may increase as the Agency continues to collate applications received through its support centres and post during deadline day.

In addition, Natural England has received 97% of Environmental Stewardship claims so far and over 93% of Countryside Stewardship claims.

"I am pleased that over 85,500 applications were received ahead of the 16 May deadline with such a high proportion – 3 out of 4 claims - submitted online, including a number who switched from paper to online," said Mark Grimshaw, Chief Executive of the RPA.

"The Rural Payments Service worked well, and continues to do so to enable farmers to make their applications on time and to make certain changes without penalty until 31 May.

"I would urge anyone yet to make their application for 2016 to do so as soon as possible before 10 June so they don’t miss out."

"If a farmer applies later but before 31 May, they will be penalised for the late application. However, they can then amend their application up to 31 May without being further penalised."

To date over 86,200 (99%) farmers have received a claim or bridging payment on their BPS 2015 claim.

RPA is encouraging farmers who may have an outstanding query, or are waiting for the balance of their 2015 payment, to still apply as soon as they can – using the latest information they have available – to avoid incurring the 1% per working day penalty.