Scottish CAP Update January 28, 2015 12:00 am The Scottish Government has made further announcements on the implementation of the BPS. Entitlements – 2013 Limit It had been planned that the allocation of entitlements would be limited to the smaller of the land area claimed in either 2013 or 2015. This so-called 2013/15 rule was designed to prevent ‘speculation’ – particularly landlords taking land back in hand to maximise their allocation, or farmers claiming on previously unsupported land. The EU Commission has now ruled that this restriction is potentially discriminatory. The Scottish Government is therefore dropping the 2013 limit. Therefore, the eligible land farmers claim in 2015 will be the number of entitlements they are granted. National Reserve The National Reserve in Scotland is now open. Although the deadline for applications is the 15th May, applicants are being urged to apply sooner rather than later. Claims must be made on an ‘Allocation of Entitlements’ form. More details can be found on the Rural Payments website at – https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/how-payments-work/allocation-of-entitlements/how-to-apply-for-allocation-of-entitlements/ Scotland will be running four categories in its National Reserve; New Entrants – those starting farming in 2013 or later and did not operate a farming businesses in their own name or at their own risk in the previous five years Young Farmers – no older than 40 years on the 31st December in the year that they apply and who are setting up as head of holding for the first time Force Majeure cases – an exceptional, unforeseen event that will reduce a claimant’s BPS entitlement allocation Specific disadvantage – those who did not receive an automatic allocation of entitlements in 2005 (including businesses that have purchased entitlements since then), and those who were allocated entitlements from the National Reserve in 2005 Successful applicants to the National Reserve will be awarded entitlements at the regional average payment rate for the region they are in. The Allocation of Entitlements form will also be used for those that had agricultural activity in 2013 and did not make a claim under the SPS, and those that wish to use the Private Contracts Clause. Guidance Detailed guidance for all Pillar 1 schemes (including the BPS) and the Pillar 2 Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) and Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) under the new CAP will be published on Rural Payments and Services (https://www.ruralpayments.org ) on 6th February 2015.
