Rural Payments and Services

What is the National Basic Payment Support Scheme?

The National Basic Payment Support Scheme (NBPSS) is a short-term support scheme for farmers and crofters who are eligible for payment and have not yet received a CAP Basic Payment and Greening payment 2015. The Scottish Government has made available up to £200 million of national funds to provide support while Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) claims are being processed. This support was announced by the First Minister in early March.

When will the scheme open?

The scheme has now opened and we have started writing to eligible farmers and crofters with details of the payments. Letters will be sent in batches from the start of April. If you receive a letter, a payment will be made soon after following an opt-out period.

How do I apply?

You do not need to do anything – if you have not yet received the first instalment of your CAP Basic Payment and Greening payment 2015 by the end of March, we will write to you. If you accept the terms included in the letter, you will be automatically included in this scheme. You will receive your NBPSS payment soon after your letter arrives.

If you do not wish to accept the terms, you can opt-out by contacting us no later than the deadline set out in your letter. You can contact us by returning the slip enclosed in your letter or by phone or email. Even if you phone or email, you must also return the slip.

What amount of funding will I receive?

If you are eligible for payment and have not yet received your first instalment CAP Basic Payment and Greening payment 2015, you will receive approximately 80 per cent of your valid claim. A cap will apply to some higher value payments. For more details on individual cases, please contact the helpline on 0300 300 2222 or email nationalBPSscheme@gov.scot

When will I receive a letter?

We have started writing to all farmers and crofters who are eligible for payment with more information. Letters are being sent in batches from Tuesday, 29 March and will continue to be issued over the following weeks.

Will I be charged interest on my NBPSS payment

Although the payment will be subject to interest of 3.24 per cent, this will be covered by the Scottish Government. However, it may affect your state aid limit, which is why a cap has been placed on some larger amounts. More information on state aid can be found below.

Will this mean my claim will be delayed beyond June?

We are continuing to do everything we can to increase the rate of payments as a priority. Being in the NBPSS will not make any difference to the speed at which we process your full claim.

How do I repay the money?

We have designed this new scheme so that your Basic Payment 2015 total should be more than the sum paid by NBPSS. This lets us deduct the NBPSS payment from your CAP Basic Payment and Greening 2015 total and pay the remainder into your bank account.

The payment instalments of my Basic Payment Scheme and greening payment are less than the amount I receive from the NBPSS – will I be charged interest?

We have designed this new scheme so that if your CAP Basic Payment and Greening 2015 application is successful and you are entitled to receive a payment, this should be more than or equal to the NBPSS paid to you. We will then deduct the NBPSS payment and pay the remainder of your CAP Basic Payment and Greening 2015 to your bank account. The deduction will constitute a repayment of the NBPSS.

However, if your CAP Basic Payment and Greening payment 2015 total is less than the NBPSS you have been paid then you will have to repay the difference between the two amounts. If you repay the balance within seven days, no interest will be charged. Interest at 4.24 per cent on the difference will be charged from seven days after your CAP Basic Payment and Greening payment is made.

What are the state aid rules and do they affect me?

State aid rules are set and controlled by the European Commission. They apply to all forms of public funding and Member States are legally obligated to observe them. There are many different State Aid regulations . The regulation which applies in this instance is 1408/2013 which is the Agricultural De- Minimis Regulation.

This allows farmers to receive €15,000 from any public source over a three-year fiscal rolling period.

The state aid element of your NBPSS payment is the interest and not the actual payment amount. This is because the main payment will make up part of your CAP Basic Payment and Greening payment 2015. However, the interest will be covered on your behalf by the Scottish Government, and so is classed as state aid. It is your responsibility to make sure that you do not breach the state aid limit.

By accepting the funding, you are declaring that you have not exceeded the de – minimis threshold. Failure to do so could result in the funding being recovered with interest by the European Commission.

We will send you a letter detailing the amount of state aid benefit you have had in the form of interest from the scheme once your CAP Basic Payment Payment and Greening payment has been made. Some examples of schemes which come under de minimis rules are:

• Bull Hire Scheme
• Sea Eagle Scheme
• Rural Priorities Outcome Plan
• AECS Farm Environmental Assessment Payment
• New Entrants and Others 2013
• Weather Aid Scheme 2013
• BVD Check Payments
• Fallen Stock Fund
• Fox Control Scheme
• Biofuels Programme
• Resource Efficient Scotland
• Clyde and Avon Valley Tree Planting Scheme
• Dairy Farmer Island Concession Scheme
• Weather Impact Support Scheme for Westray Farmers
• Cash Flow Loan Scheme
• National LFASS Scheme

This list is not exhaustive and other schemes may also be subject to de minimis.

Can I opt-out of receiving a payment from the NBPSS?

You can opt out of the scheme if you do not wish to receive the payment. You can contact us by returning the slip enclosed in your letter or by phone or email If by phone or email, you must also return the slip.

What if I opt out too late and receive the payment?

If you receive the payment and want to opt out, as long as you return it to us in seven days, there will be no interest.

To return the payment in full, you must notify us as soon as possible in writing by sending an email to nationalBPSscheme@gov.scot or a letter to the address below, quoting either your Business Registration Number or Main Location Code within seven days of receiving your letter.

On receipt of your notification we will issue an invoice to you with details of the repayment methods available (BACS, WorldPay or by cheque).

Address for correspondence:
Agricultural Development
RPID
P1 spur
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XDYou can also call 0300 300 2222 for further support.

I’ve opted out, how can I opt back in?

You can let us know that you want to opt back in. Please contact us as soon as possible by phoning 0300 300 2222 or emailing nationalBPSscheme@gov.scot

We will also need written notice that you’d like to receive the payment.

I have been inspected – am I included in this?

Yes, so long as you are eligible for the CAP Basic Payment and Greening payment 2015 and have so far not received your first payment.

What other help and support is available?

Customers can contact the RPID Customer Information Line on 0300 300 2222 or email nationalBPSscheme@gov.scot