More details released on CAP Reform in England
Latest information about new CAP schemes in England, including key details for young farmers
More details have been unveiled today about how the new CAP will be implemented in England, with the publication of the latest CAP Reform leaflet.
Defra, working with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), Natural England, Forestry Commission and the Rural Development Team has published more information on how the new schemes will work, as part of a drive to ensure people know what they need to do to claim and when.
The latest leaflet, which will also be posted to farmers in November, includes vital information for new and young farmers. It explains how they could be eligible for new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlements from the ‘national reserve’, and young farmers can also find out whether they are eligible to claim a top-up payment worth up to 25 per cent of the average value of their entitlements.
Farming Minister George Eustice said:
This latest leaflet contains key information for new and young farmers about new support they will be able to access at the point their career needs it the most.
If we are to see this industry continue to thrive, it’s vital that we encourage the brightest and best new talent into farming.
RPA External Relations Director Arik Dondi:
We have promised to make information available at each step of the countdown to the new CAP to help people understand how it will affect them and this leaflet includes vital information which farmers need to know now.
It is part of our commitment to keep customers informed as and when more detail is known.
Up to three per cent of the total Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) budget, part of England’s budget under the Common Agricultural Policy, has been earmarked to create entitlements for new farmers and young farmers, if they currently have more land than entitlements.
The new entitlements for young farmers will be generated from the National Reserve. The RPA will allocate these entitlements according to the amount of eligible land farmers declare on their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application and how many entitlements they already have.
A further two per cent of the BPS budget will be used to give extra money to young farmers if they have taken control of their farm in the last five years.
Most existing Single Payment Scheme (SPS) customers will qualify for BPS, but some operating certain non-agricultural businesses will not be eligible. The leaflet provides further detail around the ‘active farmer’ requirements of the scheme and definitions of those who may not be eligible.
The leaflet also includes more information about hedges and how they can be counted as Ecological Focus Areas. Rules around the width, length, height and location of hedges are all covered.
At each step of the countdown to the new CAP, information will be made available to help people understand how it will affect them, and what they need to do and by when to move as smoothly as possible to the new schemes and IT service.
Anyone interested in reading more about CAP Reform and the discussions that are taking place should go to the CAP Reform homepage.