BPS 2020 & Grants

BPS 2020 & Grants

The land management professionals at Roger Parry & Partners have a detailed working knowledge of available grants and subsidies and the regulatory framework that applies to rural businesses. We are able to provide practical pro-active advice on how these affect a client's business.

There are a variety of schemes that require expertise and advice, to receive the payments that you are entitled to and ensure that these are correct. The paperwork that is now required for schemes can be complex and time-consuming and the aim of our land experts is to remove the burden of complicated legislation and regulation by offering practical compliance advice. We aim to alert clients to opportunities and also advise clients to achieve a maximum return for their business, taking into consideration their objectives and farming business operations.

We pride ourselves at being at the cutting edge of legal developments and government policy to ensure that our advice will always keep clients well informed. We are expert in the operation and application of the Basic Payment Scheme and how the specifics of legislation affect businesses day-to-day. Our experienced entitlement trading team are able to secure clients the best possible deal.

Clients will be advised on entering into these schemes, that are complicated and that often have pitfalls. We can advise in a way that takes the client’s objectives into consideration and ensure that a significant benefit is gained from them. We can complete applications forms, review payments, submit claims, liaise with funding bodies, provide advice when looking at funding, monitoring claims, maximising returns and identifying projects.

Below is a list of the grants currently available (updated 31st March 2020)

England
Basic Payment Scheme	Payments based on hectares of farmed land. Young Farmer top-up also available	Open now. Deadline 15th May each year
Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier	5 year scheme incorporating annual payments and capital items	Open now Closes 31st July 2020 Last date to request applications and CSFO approval 31st May 2020
Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier Water Only	A 2 year scheme for capital items for land within a catchment sensitive farming area	Opens now Closes 31st July 2020 Last date to request applications and CSFO approval 31st May 2020
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier	A more detailed version of Mid Tier.	Open now Closes 1st May
Countryside Stewardship Hedgerows And Boundaries	Capital payments for a range of works to boundaries such as new hedge planting, hedgelaying and fencing.	Open Now Closes 1st May
Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation	Capital payments for Woodland Creation	Open all year round
Countryside Stewardship Small Grants	Grants of £3,000 to £12,000 towards farm equipment. 40% funding	Open later in th year. Dates TBC
Growth Programme Business Development	40% grants for small rural businesses that includes farmers who want to diversify into non-agricultural activity. From £20,000	Closed
Growth Programme Food Processing	40% grants for food and drink businesses that process agricultural and horticulural products. From £20,000	Closed
Growth Programme Rural Tourism	40% grants for small rural businesses and farmers for capital expenditure for rural tourism infrastructure. From £20,000	Closed
Improving Forestry Productivity	40% grants are to improve forestry productivity through felling, extraction, and adding value by primary processing of timber products. From £35,000	Closed
Adding Value to Agri Food	40% grants for processors of primary agricultural or horticultural products. From £35,000	Closed
Water Resource Management	40% grants to improve farm productivity through more efficient use of water for irrigation, and to secure water supplies for crop irrigation by the construction of on-farm reservoirs.	Closed
Improving Farm Productivity	40% grants to improve farm productivity through the use of robotic equipment, increasing the use of renewable energy produced on farm, LED wavelength controlled lighting to aid crop production and more efficient use of livestock slurries and manures, and digestate. From £35,000	Closed
South Shropshire LEADER	Up to 40% grants for local projects	Closed. All funding has been allocated.
Wales
Basic Payment Scheme	Payments based on hectares of farmed land. Young Farmer top-up also available.	Open now Deadline 15th May each year
Glastir Small Grants	Capital funding to do works such as hedge laying, hedge coppicing, stoning gateways, guttering and downpipes etc.	Unknown
Glastir Woodland Creation	Capital funding towards woodland creation and maintenance payments for 12 years following planting.	Open now Deadline 12th June 2020
Farm Business Grant	Grants of £3,000 to £12,000 towards farm equipment. 40% funding. Applicants must attend a Farming Connect Farming for the Future event prior to applying.	Opens 2nd March 2020 Closes 10th April 2020
Sustainable Production Grant	Grants of £12,000 to £50,000 for items to enhance farm nutrient management and water efficiency, such as covered slurry stores, vacuum tanks and yard roofing	Closed
Timber Business Investment Scheme	Grants open to private forest owners, local authoritiesor other public sector forest owners and SME’s that are engaged in forest planting and management activities, timber harvesting and/or timber processing	Closed
Food Business Investment Scheme	For producers of agricultural products to add value to their outputs by providing support to those businesses that do first and/or second stage processing activities	Reopening in Spring 2020. Dates TBC
Young People into Agriculture	Grants to assist young farmers setting up as head of holding. Up to £40,000 available.	Closed

We can also help with:

• Organic Grant Schemes
• Redundant Building Grants
• Rural Enterprise Grants
• Environmental Grants
• Local Government Grants
• Business Rates Relief Grants

...and many more

The Single Payment Scheme came to an end in 2014 and its replacement, the Basic Payment Scheme, was new for 2015 and introduced more complicated rules, such as Greening guidelines. We can help you to ensure your business is meeting all the requirements and maximising your money or if you're new to the scheme we can help set you up. Contact us if you require assistance with registration, online access or completion of your claim.