What is it?

The BPS is a direct payment under Pillar I of CAP and acts as a safety net for farmers, supplementing their main business income. You can apply for entitlements based on the land you farm and the activity you undertake. In order to qualify under the BPS, you must have at least one entitlement linked to one hectare of eligible land.

When was it launched and what was the closing date?

The BPS was launched in January 2015 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 29 May 2015.

What scheme has it replaced?

The BPS has replaced the Singe Payment Scheme (SPS). All entitlements held under the SPS expired on 31 December 2014. A new set of entitlements will be allocated in 2015 to those eligible for an allocation under the BPS.

The reason the SPS was replaced by the BPS is that the payment that a farmer receives under the new direct payments system is no longer a single payment, but may be a combination of payment under four separate schemes – the BPS, greening, Young Farmers Scheme and Aid for Protein Crops.

When will farmers know if they have been accepted into the scheme and how much payment can successful applicants expect?

Farmers will know about acceptance into the scheme when they receive payment. All eligible farmers will receive a payment under the BPS and a greening payment while some farmers may also qualify for a further payment under the Young Farmers Scheme or under the Aid for Protein Crop Scheme.

Following the emergency meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels on 7 September, the European Commission has allowed for a 70% advance of Basic Payment Scheme and greening payments on 16 October 2015 instead of the usual 50% advance. This means that the first instalment of the new Basic Payment Scheme and greening payments to Irish farmers will be boosted by €200m in 2015, and will total over €700m.

The balance of Basic Payment Scheme and greening payments will begin on 1 December with a target of paying 100% of all applicants on that date.

Is there another chance to apply for the scheme?

The BPS is an annual scheme so farmers will have an opportunity to apply again in 2016.

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Confused about the new CAP schemes? Check out our payments glossary