Farmers and agents applying for their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will have a further month to complete their applications after the computer system has proved not fit for purpose.

 The deadline is now 15th June and the Rural Payments Agency shall accept paper forms, which they shall then input into the system.

George Chichester of Strutt & Parker says, “There has been a huge investment of time by farmers and, especially, their agents to try to adhere to the Government’s wish to have all applications made online. It is now obvious that the computer system is simply not fit for purpose and could not cope with the amount of applications being made. After all our efforts to try and help the Rural Payments Agency as they aimed to become fully computerised, there is no doubt that we and our clients feel somewhat cheated by this situation”.

As of 23rd March, there will be two forms available to download from the RPA’s website.

RPA Chief Executive, Mark Grimshaw said: “My priority is to ensure that every farmer and agent has the help they need to make their claims on time. Using tried-and-tested RPA forms will make this happen.”

“Having listened to feedback, the RPA will now combine existing forms that farming businesses are used to, with data that the Rural Payments system already has. This will mean that everyone who is registered and wants to complete a 2015 Basic Payment Scheme claim can do so.”