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The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application window has opened today (12 March) for farmers to claim for their 2020 payments.

Farmers are being encouraged to apply as soon as they are able, to ensure applications are submitted ahead of the deadline of 15 May without penalty.

The claim window for customers with existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) revenue agreements has also opened today (12 March). Farmers, land managers and foresters are also encouraged to submit their claim for 2020 payment as soon as they are able to ahead of the 15 May deadline.

All applicants can quickly update their personal and business information by applying through the Rural Payments Service, where farmers and their agents can also view and transfer their entitlements and land parcels.

As the UK has now left the EU, all BPS payments will be made in Sterling, starting from the 2020 BPS scheme year. The change will make no difference to the timing of BPS 2020 payments which, along with CS revenue and ES 2020 payments, will begin from December 2020.

The Government has confirmed the level of funding available for BPS Direct Payments for 2020 is the same as for 2019 and it intends to set the exchange rate at €1 = 0.89092. This is the same as last year so that farmers will see no material difference in their BPS payments.

Guidance for all customers is available in the ‘How To’ guides with the BPS guidance 2020.