News

The closing date of the 18th August for applying under the 2023 Countryside Stewardship Scheme Mid Tier Scheme is fast approaching. If approved you will be offered a five year agreement commencing as from the 1st January 2024. Under the agreement you will receive annual payments for carrying out management options as well as grant payments for carrying out capital works to improve natural boundaries, water and air quality. These capital works must be completed within the first three years of the Scheme.

The Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants Scheme is open for applications all year round and grants are again available for carrying out capital works to improve natural boundaries, water and air quality. For 2023 there is no limit to the amount of grant available for these capital works, (In 2022 the limit was £20,000), but the Rural Payments Agency are looking for value for money. Again the capital works must be completed within three years from the start of the Scheme.

Under the above two schemes, Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer’s support and consent is required for a number of capital works to improve water and air quality before they can be considered for grant. You must submit an application for this support at least ten weeks before making a grant application. It is now too late to apply for this support for 2023 Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier Schemes although not too late for Capital Grant Schemes.

Applications for payments under the 2023 Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) are expected to open later in August. Under the SFI you will receive payments for Actions on soils, hedgerows, integrated pest and nutrient management as well as Actions for Moorland, Farmland Wildlife on Arable and Horticulture Land, Buffer Strips and Low Input Grassland. The SFI is a three year agreement and payments are made on a quarterly basis in arrears throughout the 3 years. More Actions are to be rolled out under the SFI in 2024.

If you are not already in a Countryside Stewardship Mid or Higher Tier Scheme or taking advantage of the Countryside Stewardship Capital Grant Scheme then you are advised to consider applying for entry into these schemes. If you require any advice or assistance then please don’t hesistate to Contact us.