Some Things you may have missed…FETF, BPS & SFI

Three Things you might have missed…For help with any of these matters please contact Carol Johnson HNR 01434 607 023 0775369311 cjohnson@hexhammart.co.uk

Sustainable Farming Incentive

SFI applications opened for BPS eligible farmers from 30 June 2022.

Applications will remain open, so you can apply at a time that works best for you. If it’s necessary to close applications, this date will be publicised, including on GOV.UK, giving you 6 weeks’ notice.

SFI standards agreements

You’ll be eligible to apply for an SFI standards agreement if you’re a farmer who is eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), with land in England.

Standards

In 2022, there will be 3 standards available, with different levels and payments. Those are:

Standard	Level	Payment
Arable and horticultural soils	Introductory	£22 per hectare
	Intermediate	£40 per hectare
Improved grassland soils	Introductory	£28 per hectare

Annual health and welfare review

The annual health and welfare review will provide funding to eligible livestock farmers. This funding will cover the cost of an annual review of your livestock by a vet chosen by you.

This is part of the SFI offer in 2022 and sits alongside the environmental standards. You do not need to have an SFI standards agreement to be eligible to apply for the annual health and welfare review funding.

Small Grants – Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) Round 1

Reminders have been sent to agreement holders to claim for equipment purchased as soon as possible

Making your claim

Start to buy all the items listed in your agreement. 

Before you submit your claim, all items must be paid for, delivered, installed and made operational (if required).

The claim form is at the bottom of your agreement email. When you have filled it in, use the ‘reply to sender’ option and the form will be emailed automatically to FETFClaims@rpa.gov.uk.

Submit your claim as soon as possible, must be received it by midnight on 31 October 2022 at the latest.

You can withdraw your claim at any time – unless already told you about an error or site visit.

You need to submit supporting evidence with your claim.

Evidence can be: invoices, bank or building society statements and photos. 

You need to provide the serial number of each item and proof that it contains the required CE or UKCA marking.

Invoices must be paid in full and the payment must have left your bank account before submit your claim.

BPS – Advanced Payments for 2022

RPA will start to make advance payments in July and expect to issue the majority of advance payments by the end of July. For the remaining claims that require additional checks, payments are expected to be made by the end of August. If RPA have been unable to pay you by then, they will contact you to explain why.

It will be based on the value of your claim at the point of checking. Please note this may not be exactly 50%. The final value of your claim may change once all checks are completed and this will be reflected in the balance payment which will be issued from 1 December onwards. Lump Sum Exit Scheme applicants, who have claimed BPS in 2022, will get an advance payment.

The proportionate amount of progressive reductions will be applied to both your advance and balance payments, and you will get a remittance advice statement for your records.

IF YOU ARE STILL WAITING FOR YOUR 2021 PAYMENT NO ADVANCE WILL BE MADE.

ONE LAST THING…

FINALLY – REMINDERS THAT THE CLOSING DATE FOR MID TIER APPLICATIONS IS THE END OF JULY