MORE than 30,000 completed Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications have now been received by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) — but with less than two weeks remaining, farmers in West Devon are urged to submit their BPS 2015 applications as soon as possible.

Any farmer who has not received their form should contact the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301.

If an agent has been empowered to act on their behalf farmers should check if forms have been sent to them first.

Justin Chamberlain, RPA customer director, said: 'The RPA is continuing to support farmers by sending mobile support units to various locations across the country. 

'We have also extended the opening hours of most of our drop-in centres to give more farmers the opportunity to get their forms in before the deadline.

'The feedback from those using our mobile units and drop-in centres has been very positive and I would urge farmers to make the most of the BPS 2015 support available from the RPA in their region.'

All the locations of the mobile support units and drop-in centres can be found on http://www.gov.uk">www.gov.uk

The RPA helpline now has an automated service to request BPS application forms.

This is available 24/7 and means customers can request a BPS form at any time and without the need to speak to an adviser on 03000 200 301.

Forms will be sent out first class within three working days of a request being made.

Farmers can also request for BPS forms to be emailed but they will need to speak to the helpline and pass security.

Remember the deadline is also June 15 for those farmers and land managers who are claiming under existing agri-environment or woodland grant schemes.

They are being urged to submit their claims as early as possible and to contact Natural England or the Forestry Commission if they need any help.