The Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) is the only environmental scheme available for farmers to claim revenue and capital items. The CSS opened in 2015 and is still going. It replaces the previous HLS & ELS schemes (some of which were extended and are still running).
When CSS started there was little uptake from farmers owing to the application process and the payments for the various options. However over the last few years the application has been simplified and some of the payment rates increased by 30%. Some applications are not competitive and you do not have to put the whole farm in for CSS; you can make it work for you.
The reason for this post is to provide more information on the CSS and why now with BPS decreasing, is the last opportunity to apply for a scheme that pays considerably more than the Sustainable Farming Incentive, the governments new scheme.
The post is for anyone considering applying for CSS by explaining how a CSS agreement works and what you can apply for. CSS is another way of deriving an income from the land and those in CSS will be well placed to enter new schemes in the future.
AVAILABLE TO FARMERS
The Scheme is available to farmers, woodland owners, foresters and land managers to claim financial incentives to improve and look after the environment by:
- conserving and restoring wildlife habitats
- flood risk management
- woodland creation and management
- reducing widespread water pollution from agriculture
- keeping the character of the countryside
- preserving historical features in the landscape
- encouraging educational access
FOUR MAIN TYPES OF APPLICATIONS
- Mid tier – most similar to the ELS (revenue and capital items)
- Wildlife offers – non competitive and only require 2-3 revenue options
- Higher tier – most similar to HLS and not particularly common
- Capital grants –2 year agreement to part fund capital itemsThe most common types of application applied for locally are as follows:
MID TIER APPLICATION
Five-year agreements offering a range of options for continued land management such as the management of species-rich grassland, and for specific environmental works such as installing fencing.
The agreements commence on 1st January each year with payments made in December; capital items can be claimed on completion of the works with evidence required.
Previously an application pack had to be requested, completed and submitted to the RPA, it is now possible to apply online, which is faster and a simpler way to complete the application.
The management options available under the Mid-Tier are:
- Managing land for the benefit of local wildlife
- Support local priority habitats
- Manage flood risk in the local area
- Manage and maintain landscape features
- Manage water and air pollution
There are over 150 revenue options and capital items available to claimants. As detailed below there are 3 groups for which the granting is limited; air quality items are limited to £120,000; boundary items are limited to £50,000; and water items are limited to £120,000. All are subject to a value for money calculation.
Examples of revenue items and rates are as follows:
Dairy farm with a mixture of permanent and temporary grass leys
- GS2 – Permanent grassland with very low inputs £132 per ha (£53 acre)
- GS4 – Legume and herb rich swards £382 per ha (£154 acre)
- BE3 – Management of hedgerows £10/ 100m for 1 side of a hedge
Arable holding growing winter and spring combinable crops
- AB6 – Enhanced over winter stubble £522 per ha (£211 acre)
- SW4 – 12-24m water course buffer strip on cultivated land £612 per ha (£247 acre)
- AB9 – Winter bird food £732 per ha (£296 acre)
If you have traditional buildings that were built prior to 1940, are still used for agricultural purposes and are structurally sound, you can apply for a revenue option of HS1 Maintenance of weatherproof traditional farm or forestry buildings at a payment rate of £4.42/ m2.
Please see the capital grants section below for examples.
WILDLIFE OFFER
To help farmers and land managers protect wildlife and preserve the natural environment.
They include the Arable Offer, the Lowland Grazing Offer, the Mixed Farming Offer and the Upland Offer. Wildlife offers are not competitive and include a number of revenue items included in the Mid Tier.
The Arable offer comprises three categories, minimum of 3 options:
Category 1. Improve nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds. (Select at least one option)
Category 2. Introduce additional winter-food sources for seed-eating birds. (You must select this option.)
Category 3. Improve habitats and other resources for specific species (no minimum or maximum, apart from individual option requirements). Select at least one option.
Please see a detailed schedule of the options available under each category and the payment rates.
The lowland grazing offer comprises three categories, minimum of 2 options:
Category 1. Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds (minimum 2ha per 100ha of farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)
Category 2. Nesting and shelter for insect pollinators and birds (minimum 500m of BE3 or 1ha of GS1 per 100ha farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)
Category 3. Optional additional resources & habitats (no minimum or maximum, apart from individual option requirements)
Please see a detailed schedule of the options available under each category and the payment rates.
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The mixed farming offer comprises three categories, minimum of 3 options:
Category 1. Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds (select at least one, minimum 1% or 1 ha per 100 ha of farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)
Category 2. Winter food for seed-eating birds (you MUST select this option, minimum 2% or 2 ha per 100 ha farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)
Category 3. Additional resources and habitats (select at least one, no minimum or maximum, apart from individual option or supplement requirements)
Please see a detailed schedule of the options available under each category and the payment rates.
Under sowing maize to reduce run off
CAPITAL GRANTS
For specific environmental works on land, covering hedgerows, trees, orchards and to improve air and water quality.
Capital items include activities such as fencing installation, tree planting, concreting yards and sleeper tracks. The capital grants offer standalone capital items within 3 groups: boundaries, trees and orchards; Â water quality; and air quality.
There is now no maximum amount for capital grants it was £20,000 per group mentioned above. There are 67 different capital items, for some of which you will require a catchment sensitive officer’s approval and for water/ air quality items be located in a high priority area for water.
Examples of capital items and rates are as follows:
FG12 – Wooden field gate £490 per gate
FG3 – Permanent electric fencing £5.66/m
LV7 – Livestock troughs £153/ trough
RP4 – Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks £45/m
PR15 – Concrete yard renewal £33.64/m2
In most cases the money paid will not cover all the costs of undertaking works; it is likely to cover the material costs but not necessarily the labour costs. If you are looking to undertake capital works only this is a great opportunity.
HOW TO APPLY FOR CSS?
- Be registered on the RPA website
- Ensure that all details and land covers are correct
- Choose application type
- Follow the steps on the RPA website
The application process for each application differs. The links below provide the relevant guidance at the time of publication:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2023-countryside-stewardship
As detailed the CSS provides an additional income during the agricultural transition period compared to BPS, there is an emphasis on jumping through hoops for receiving grant payments. However if you want capital items, use traditional buildings or want to increase environmental benefits to the farm, this scheme is designed for you. It will also assist with the transition to the Local Nature Recovery scheme in 2024.