Farm Subsidies

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms agreed for the 2014-2020 period introduced new farm subsidy rules and payments from 1 January 2015.

Each UK country operates a different subsidy scheme.

For England, the Rural Payment Agency administers the Basic Payment Scheme.

Claimants of the Basic Payment must show cross compliance with environmental, food safety, animal and plant health and animal welfare standards.

Farmers apply for the Basic Payment Scheme by completing a single application form. This is submitted by 15 May each year, along with details of the land they use. Farmers can request payment in euros or sterling when they complete their form.

Entitlements are the basis for payments under the Basic Payment Scheme. An entitlement is a right to a payment, provided it is supported by a hectare of eligible land. Entitlements can be traded on the open market. UK entitlements have been allocated across the four countries of the UK. Entitlements allocated within one payment area can only be used and transferred within that payment area.

For Wales, the Welsh Government administers the Basic Payment Scheme.

For Scotland, the Scottish Government administers the Basic Payment Scheme.

For Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland administers the Area-Based Scheme.

Related pages

Farm subsidies

Farm Subsidies The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms agreed for the 2014-2020 period introduced new farm subsidy rules and payments from 1 January 2015. Each UK country operates a different subsidy scheme. For England, the Rural Payment Agency administers the Basic Payment Scheme. Claimants of the Basic Payment must show cross compliance with environmental, food

Breeding curlew need you

Breeding Curlew Need You The curlew population stands on the brink of collapse.  Data shows a 46 per cent decline in breeding curlew in the UK between 1994 and 2010, with a more than 50 per cent decline in Wales and Scotland. The numbers are still in rapid decline and

Green Shoots in the South West

Green Shoots in the South West Hello and welcome to the Green Shoots in the South West web pages   The Green Shoots Project, a pioneering scheme in the West Country, began in September 2002 with the recruitment of Robin Marshall-Ball as the Somerset Levels conservation officer (SLCO), a post

Get the latest updates from BASC


You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

* indicates required