The Countryside Stewardship scheme has opened today (15th January 2018) for farmers and land managers to request application packs, for agreements to start in 2019.
Four simpler, and quicker to apply for, offers are being introduced this year to complement the existing Higher Tier and Mid Tier offers and to open up the scheme to even more farmers and land managers. Unlike existing offers, all landowners who make a valid application for any of the four new packages will be guaranteed funding through the scheme.
This application window is an opportunity for farmers new to Countryside Stewardship (CS), or those coming out of previous stewardship agreements, to sign up for an agreement that will be guaranteed for its lifetime, to protect wildlife, boost biodiversity and deliver environmental benefits for their local communities.
Earlier this month, Environment Secretary Michael Gove outlined government plans to replace existing farm subsidies outside the EU with a new system of public money for public goods. Ahead of this, the new CS offers are an opportunity for even more farmers to establish positive environmental practices on their land and prepare for the future.
The RPA and Natural England have been tasked with simplifying the scheme, to save farmers time and cut down on paperwork. As part of this, farmers applying for the new CS offers who meet the eligibility requirements will be able to get an agreement to deliver as few as three options, or as many as seven up to 14, depending on the offer applied for. The new CS offers are a chance for those who have been put off the scheme in the past to look again at what is on offer and what they might be able to achieve on their land.
The government has made clear its intention to go on supporting farmers for many years to come to deliver public goods, in terms of producing high quality food, boosting biodiversity and making our countryside a safe haven for our iconic wildlife.
Farmers and land managers have until 31st May 2018 to request a paper application pack. Farmers intending to apply online this year will be able to create their Online Arable Offer application pack from 20 February. See further details of the new offers for wildlife.
The deadline for all applications is 31st July 2018.
Your application pack will tell you where to send your completed form. It will also give details of the information or evidence you need to submit with your application.
Applicants can request more information on all the offers available from Natural England Enquiries Team by telephone: 0208 026 1089; email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk; or writing to:
Enquiries, Natural England, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP
Source: GOV.UK
