RPA issues update on BPS, Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship 2019 Payments and 2020 Plans

The RPA has issued a Press Release giving an update on progress with making BPS, Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) 2019 payments, as well as indicative 2020 plans for all of these schemes . The key points are summarised below:-

• Almost 97% of eligible BPS claimants should have received a BPS 2019 payment by 20th January 2020 (overall worth of £1.69 billion);
• £109 million of CS/ES 2019 payments made (more than double what was paid out by this time last year);
• BPS 2020 application window, as well as CS and ES annual revenue claim window should open in March 2020;
• CS application window for agreements with a 1st January 2021 start date should open in February 2020.