Range of offers to farmers in rejigged scheme

Introduced to complement the Higher-Tier and Mid-Tier offers, the new wildlife offers are said to be simple and quick to apply for and will allow even more farmers and landowners the chance to apply.

In addition, unlike the existing offers, all landowners who make a valid application for any of the four new packages will be guaranteed funding through the scheme.

So, what’s on offer for 2019?

There are four wildlife offers aimed at helping farmers and landowners protect wildlife and preserve the natural environment. The offers are arable, lowland grazing, mixed farming, and upland.

• Water capital grant – open to those with land that falls within a high priority area for water. A two-year standalone water capital grant is available to eligible parties

• Hedgerow and boundary grant – a two-year capital grant containing options for the restoration and management of existing boundaries

• Woodland creation grant – a two-year grant available all year round for the creation of new woodland areas with the support of the Forestry Commission

• Mid-Tier Scheme – a competitive scheme lasting five years, that offers a range of options and capital items that collectively help deliver a broad range of environmental benefits

• High-Tier Scheme – also competitive and lasting a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years, this is open to those farms containing more environmentally significant sites that require more complex management with the support of Natural England

Despite the offer on the table this year, we should not become too complacent or reliant on funding from the likes of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, due to the likelihood of Brexit bringing quite a few changes to the agricultural industry over the coming months and years.

We’re predicting that simplified versions of Countryside Stewardship will continue to be open to new applicants between 2020-2024. However, while no further details are available yet. There are suggestions that this is potentially the last year that the full Mid-Tier Scheme will be available. Therefore, those looking to benefit from this should act sooner rather than later.

Anna Jovanovic, Rural Professional Assistant, Moule & Co