CAPIS

Everyone should be aware that it will not be possible to make a paper claim for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England; all applications will be via the online CAP Information Service (CAPIS).  The new service is not yet live; currently you have to be ‘invited’ to register.  DEFRA has recognised the role agents have to play in the new system and will be rolling out the service to them in earnest over the next three to four weeks.  Again, this will be a staged process.  Agents may well receive a phone call and some of the larger firms may be visited if necessary to go through the procedure.  DEFRA are aware that there are agents who are not ‘known’ to them for one reason or another; more information for this category should be available w/c 25^th November. 

Once registered on the new system, agents will receive a Customer Reference Number.  They will be able to give this to their clients so they can ‘link’ themselves to an agent if they wish.  Similar to the SPS, there will be different levels of empowerment (now called ‘permissions’).  This process of linking should be instantaneous.  Because of this ‘linking’ process, DEFRA are keen to get agents registered first and it now seems that it will be late December or more likely early January before farmers receive their registration packs.  It is important to note that even if a farmer is going to use an agent, both parties must be registered on to the new system.