BPS Application Window Open

The application window for BPS 2021 has opened online today, and you can start your application at www.gov.uk/claim-rural-payments

The deadline for applications is 17th May, but I suggest you start working on checking your data as soon as possible.

There are a few changes this year:

• All 3 greening requirements have been removed – crop diversification, Ecological Focus Areas and the greening permanent grassland rules

• There is no entitlement expiry date from 2021 onwards

• Supporting documents will be accepted until 11 June, without reductions or penalties being applied to your application

• Amendments to an application will be accepted up to 11 June, without applying reductions or penalties, as long as the original application was submitted by the 17 May deadline.

• Force majeure notification period extended from 15 days to 8 weeks

• BPS 2021 payments: will have reductions applied to them from this year. You can see how your payments will be affected by using our BPS Reduction Calculator.

If you need any help with your application, please contact us as soon as possible as we will be very busy in the run up to the deadline.

If we assisted you with your application last year, we will be in touch shortly regarding this years application.