Herefordshire farmers will be able to find out the latest on the basic payment scheme at a series of meetings including one on March 22nd at Much Marcle Village Hall from 2pm to 4pm.

The NFU meetings will remind members of the rules, highlight any changes to the 2016 basic payment scheme, BPS, and show them how to claim both on-line and via the paper route.

Members will be taken through the BPS application, changes for the year ahead, how to apply and be given a briefing on other issues. There will also be an update on 2015 payments and a question and answer session.

The Herefordshire NFU office, in Tillington Road, will also be used by the Rural Payments Agency, RPA, from March 22nd as a technical support base and drop-in centre for the second year and further details will be announced shortly.

Herefordshire NFU county adviser Clare Greener said: “As this is only the second year of the scheme, we will be reminding farmers of the rules as well as demonstrating how claims should be made. We are grateful to HSBC who have funded the venues for these meetings.”

Robert Newbery, NFU regional director, said on-line and paper based applications should be issued by the RPA to farmers and growers by the middle of the month.

He said: “I would urge Herefordshire members to attend one of the meetings which will prove valuable, helping them get to grips with BPS 2016 and highlight some of the important changes for this year’s application process.

“We understand the pressures that are already on members’ businesses as a result of unsustainable market prices so we’ll do everything we can to help reduce the bureaucratic burden of this year’s BPS application. The deadline for 2016 applications will be May 16th.”

The events are being supported by Herefordshire Rural Hub and to book a place please contact [email protected] or call 01432 353465.