30th January 2020

The Agriculture Bill, one of the most significant pieces of legislation for farmers in England for over 70 years, is scheduled for debate by MPs next Monday, 3 February. Roger Parry & Partners are keeping abreast with developments so they can help and advice farmers and landowners when making business decisions.

Richard Corbett, Partner with Roger Parry & Partners, said, “We are keeping a close eye on the development of the Agriculture Bill. It is absolutely vital that the Bill is tailored to farming’s specific needs and ambitions. We pride ourselves on being there for our farming clients, offering them business advice with the latest information on legislation and funding to hand.

“This Bill incorporates the future of direct payments. We were grateful for the Government’s recent financial commitment to a long-term future budget for the industry which has addressed significant concerns and will provide much needed clarity for farmers. We recognise that the way farmers are supported will change and the announcement to regularly report, evaluate and monitor how the schemes will operate will go some way to ensuring that any money taken from farmers as part of the phase out of the Direct Payments (BPS) will stay within farming. We will be here to ensure farmers benefit from the latest schemes and funding available to help their business thrive after we leave the EU.”

In 2019 Roger Parry and Partners helped over 500 farmers fill in their Direct Payments application forms, including many complex cross-border farmers dealing with Rural Payments Wales (RPW) and the Rural Payments Agency England.

Richard Corbett said, “BPS payments cannot be secured without submitting an application form, so this is one of the most crucial forms farmers will complete.  Our professionals have extensive experience in filling in BPS application forms and will ensure that sufficient time and care is taken to guarantee its accuracy.”

For the latest advice on the Agriculture Bill, the Basic Payment Scheme, grant funding applications, and how they affect your individual farm business, please call your Roger Parry & Partners local office. Oswestry: 01691 655334, Welshpool 01938 554499, Carmarthenshire: 07498 717778, Minsterley: 01743 791336, Shrewsbury: 01743 343343, Llanidloes: 01686 449222.