DEFRA Guidance on Delinked Payments

By Abbie Lewis, Rural Surveyor

DEFRA have recently published guidance on Delinked Payments, setting out the reductions to be applied to delinked BPS payments in 2025. They have also confirmed payments will be made in one lump sum from the 1^st August 2025.

Reductions for £30,000 or less will be 76% and over £30,000 a reduction of 100%. For example, if your reference amount was £20,000 you will have a 76% reduction applied, which is the equivalent of £15,200 making your payment in 2025 £4,800. If it was over £30,000, say your reference amount was £40,000 you will receive a 76% reduction to the first £30,000 and thereafter a 100% reduction, giving you an income this year of £7,200.

We understand the detrimental impact the above may have on our clients’ businesses and suggest our clients consider applying for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements, to help buffer the phasing out of BPS.

As a firm we are already assisting a large number of clients and would encourage all clients not already in an SFI scheme to reach out. Your local office will be able to advise you on suitable options which would work both with existing agreements, Countryside Stewardship agreements and land which has not previously been entered into any Environmental Schemes.

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