OREANDA-NEWS. December 02, 2015. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed that over 33,000 farmers in England have been paid their full 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claim on the first day of the payment window.

In what has been a challenging BPS 2015 year, the RPA’s focus has always been on releasing these important funds into the farming community. These payments to farmers represent at least 38% of those who claimed.

This is in addition to having made some £21 million of EU dairy support payments to almost 11,000 dairy farmers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Today’s figures on dairy payments are an uplift on those released on 16 November, when the RPA confirmed that almost £19.2 million went to three-quarters of all eligible dairy farmers, a fortnight ahead of schedule.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said:

We understand the importance of these payments to our hard-working farmers and I’m pleased to confirm that over a third of the total 88,000 claimants will see their Basic Payment Scheme money going into their bank accounts from today, the opening day of the payment window.

After making dairy support payments a fortnight ahead of schedule, the RPA has now pulled out all the stops to get BPS payments underway. I know RPA staff are continuing to work flat out to ensure the agency meets its commitment to pay the majority of farmers by the end of this month and the vast majority by the end of January.

We recognise low global prices have made it a tough year for farmers. As well as ensuring prompt payments, we are working to build the long-term resilience of the industry, including introducing a fairer tax system, pushing for clearer labelling of British dairy products, setting up a futures market for dairy and working with the industry to open up new export markets.

The RPA will issue BPS and remaining EU dairy support fund payments via BACS transfer. Applicants are reminded that if their bank details have changed or they still need to register on the Rural Payments system, they need to call the Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301. The agency will be unable to make payments to applicants who are not registered.

The RPA will continue to work hard to pay the remainder of claims as soon as possible and remains on track to pay over half of eligible BPS claims by the end of the month and the vast majority by the end of January.