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The deadline to submit claims without a penalty was 15 May, however late claims can be submitted up until 1 September.
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Claims can be made online, in which case you will need to use the Rural Payments service, or paper forms can be requested for those who do not use the online service.听
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If you are submitting claims by post, you will need to complete and submit the claim to the RPA before the final deadline of 1 September. This means that it must be received by the RPA before this date to be successful.听
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The detail on the uplifted payment rates for HLS agreement holders has been published, following Defra' initial announcement at NFU Conference.
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The uplift applies to 157 HLS options and will take effect from 1 December 2025 onwards.听
- Read the full story at: Uplift for HLS payment rates provides some certainty but still falls short.
- The FETF 2025 offer is open for applications until midday 10 July 2025.
- You can apply for funding towards new equipment and technology across three distinct themes; these are productivity, slurry, or animal health and welfare.
- Items are scored based on their positive impact and the highest scoring applications will be more likely to be accepted, due to the competitive nature of the fund. 听
NFU members will shortly be invited to our exclusive webinar explaining the 2025 offer and how the process operates for applying. Watch out on our events page for details.
In the mean time, more information can be found on our dedicated Farming Equipment and Technology Fund page.
We have also highlighted which items under the fund can help reduce the risks of bTB on farm.
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Stay up to date with the latest Farming Investment Fund opportunities. There is one upcoming deadline:
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Improving Farm Productivity 鈥� round 2 鈥� rooftop solar/ robotics & automation 鈥� full application deadline: 31 July 2025.听
Anyone who has applied for any of these grants is advised to ensure they are able to submit their full applications in good time. If for any reason there is likely to be a delay in submitting a full application, then it is advisable to contact the RPA as soon as possible.
For more information on the grants available under the Farming Investment Fund, visit our essential information page.
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As we enter the summer months, and harvest approaches, it is important to ensure you understand the rules for hedgerow management and the processes for which exceptions can be used, and derogations granted in genuine circumstances, as well as how the notification process works for the August derogation for those planting oilseed rape or temporary grass.
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Read our dedicated pages for more information:
The civil sanctions consultation on hedgerow management has also concluded and the government has published its response.
For more information on the hedgerow regulations, visit our essential information page.
6. SFI
- Our general SFI guidance contains up to date information on the closure announced on 11 March 2025
- You can also read:听SFI scheme reopened to 1000s of applicants after legal threats from NFU members.听
- In response to media reports of speculative cuts to the Defra budget for nature friendly farming, the NFU is seeking clarity from Defra.听
- Read our full statement.
More information about delinked payments can be found on our essential information page.
8. Farming Innovation Programme
- A number of new opportunities are available under the FIP (Farming Innovation Programme), including the new ADOPT scheme which aims to promote on farm trials of innovative technology and support members in adopting equipment they would otherwise be unable to, while also allowing for practical testing of novel solutions in a working farm environment.
- Other competitions also include the net zero farming theme as well as a proposed competition utilising the benefits of the Precision Breeding Act.
Our FIP page has all the latest information.
To find out about the ADOPT grant specifically, visit our essential information page.
9. Delinked payments
Payment reductions and schedule for 2025. Legislation laid before Parliament.
- Following the Autumn 2024 Budget, it was announced that the government intended to reduce delinked payments by 76% within the first 拢30,000 of reference amount, a much steeper reduction than had been seen in previous years. This was coupled with a 100% cut for any reference amount beyond 拢30,000, meaning a significant decrease in the value of payments for many.
- The legislation for this has passed through Parliament and the reduction rates have been confirmed, as well as the decision to pay delinked payments in a single August payment and not in two payments as was seen in previous years.听
More information about delinked payments can be found on our essential information page.
10. Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
The new CSHT (Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier) will be available for invited applicants from summer 2025.
- Defra hosted an听 to explain the pre-application process for engaging with CSHT. The presentation covered the RPA's, Natural England's and Forestry Commission's intended approach and how they choose who to invite for the initial stages of this phased rollout. Note that SFI is currently not available where it is referenced in the recording.听
- For those with existing agreements expiring this year, either a HLS or an existing CS Higher Tier agreement, they will be offered an extension agreement.
- Those with a HLS agreement may also benefit from the recently announced payment rate increases for certain actions.
Visit our听CHST essential information page for more information.
11. What to do if you're unhappy with an RPA decision
- Sometimes things do not go to plan when dealing with the RPA, whether it is a mistake, system error or a misunderstanding. The impact on members and their businesses can be significant, not only from a financial standpoint, but also from a mental health perspective as well.
- Submitting a complaint to the RPA is divided into two distinct categories which have different processes depending on whether they relate to a decision made by the RPA, or whether it relates to poor quality customer service.
- 皇家华人has guidance available on听how to prepare an initial query, as well as further information on who to contact if you wish to raise a customer service complaint as well.
Read our explainer on the听RPA complaints and appeals process.