Poots announces 4.3% increase to BPS entitlements in 2020 scheme year

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced that a linear increase of 4.3% will be applied to all Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlements in 2020 scheme year.

The Minister said: "Over time, the difference between the value of direct payments made to farmers and the budget allocation has increased due to a number of issues such as not all BPS entitlements being activated for payment. Therefore I have decided to apply an increase of 4.3% to the unit value of all BPS entitlements in 2020 scheme year.”

The Minister continued: "This increase will be worth approximately £8million in total or £330 on average per farmer.  It will ensure that our expenditure on direct payments will match our budget allocation of £293million which under Treasury rules is ring fenced and can only be used for these payments.”

The Minister concluded: "I continue to be committed to supporting our agricultural sector as this increase to BPS entitlements demonstrates.  I can confirm that the Department remains on track to commence full payments to farmers for the 2020 scheme year from 16 October 2020 which has become possible as a result of EU Exit.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Direct Payments to Farmers in 2020 scheme year consist of the Basic Payment Scheme, Greening Payment and Young Farmers’ Payment.

2' 2020 scheme year payments are nationally funded and the budget allocation to Northern Ireland is £293million.

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