Get ahead in Countryside Stewardship applications – Hannah Joy

Now is the ideal time for growers to engage with Countryside Stewardship (CSS) is the advice from Hutchinsons Environmental Services Specialist Hannah Joy.

By signing up to a countryside stewardship agreement, growers will be in the best possible position to join ELMS, as well as giving a viable, guaranteed source of income as BPS begins to reduce as of this year, she says.

Much of the CSS information has remained the same, however some changes have been made to this year’s applications, she points out.

“New air quality options have been introduced – advice and approval of use from Catchment sensitive farming for these options will be required. The Uplands offer has been expanded to allow more landowners to access options, and educational access is now available to be used in Mid-tier agreements, which was previously only higher tier.”

“A new standalone capital grant offer has been introduced – the new grant expands on the offers previously available under the hedgerow/boundary and water capital grants. There will now be 67 capital items to select from,” she says.

“The capital items available will be within the following groups: boundaries, trees and orchards, water quality and air quality. The maximum amount of funding available for any application has been increased from £10,000 – £60,000, with a £20,000 limit within each option grouping.”

Hannah points out that mid-tier capital items will still be available. “However there is now a spending cap of £120,000 for ait and water quality items and £50,000 for boundaries, trees and orchard items.”