Farmers, landowners and growers are being urged to register for Rural Payments following the publication of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Handbook.

The handbook draws together and updates the information previously released in the CAP Reform leaflets.

It covers who can claim; what farmers need to know before they can claim; and what they need to grow and do on their land. There is also a chapter about applying online.

Rural Payments Agency Chief Executive Officer Mark Grimshaw said: "My message is very simple – if you are planning to claim the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015, you need to get on and register now.

"This handbook gives farmers, growers and landowners the information they need to make their claim.

"Even if you were claiming under the old Single Payment Scheme (SPS), you will still need to register on the new service to claim the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. There is lots to do in this the first year of BPS and you will need to build your claim.

"It will be easier in future years once we have all your information confirmed on the service."

The handbook has been published on GOV.UK and will be sent to those farmers with a registered email address later this week. Hard copies will be posted to all farmers who meet the minimum claim size requirements of BPS in early March.

Farmers are advised to read the handbook in full as some guidance has changed since the publication of the leaflets and some areas are now explained in more detail.