Confusion for farmers over Rural payments Agency u-turn

A new regulation of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), which will replace the current Single Payment Scheme on January 1, 2015, was that farmers re-register online before the scheme comes into action.

They were warned that if they did not register online, using a GOV.UK Verify scheme, they faced losing their payments.

But due to issues with the system, and users not being able to pass through the identity assurance process, it has now been announced that those already registered with the Rural Payments Agency can do it over the telephone or online.

But Paul Madeley, founder and director at Much Wenlock-based Madeleys Chartered Surveyors, said the move is likely to cause further problems.

He said: “We warned earlier this year that there would be issues with the identity process as many farmers do not have the necessary documents.

“Those that are registered with the RPA will be able to answer security questions over the telephone about the information currently held by the RPA – meaning passports and other identification will not be needed.

“But anyone not registered with the RPA must still go through the online process. Agents are being invited to register before Christmas but our clients will not be invited to register until the new year.

“We will be getting in touch with all clients as soon as possible in the new year to explain the situation and reduce confusion as the process has become complicated.”

It has been announced that the new Rural Payments system is continuing, with the “agile” development approach, meaning that improvements will continue to be made to the system over the coming months.

Madeleys Chartered Surveyors launched a blog on their website with advice and information for farmers.

Mr Madeley said they were aware farmers were facing difficulties with many of the regulations, from proving identity – as many farmers do not have passports – to assessing whether their business structure needed to change to prevent it impacting on their right to claim.

“Purely the change of having to do things online was a major problem for many farmers and we hope the blog will help to reduce the amount of stress involved,” he added.

“Of course for those who are not online we will still be able to complete the online application for them as we previously have done but we know more and more farmers are using the internet as part of their everyday business.”