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More choice for farmers; Natural England announces new options for the Environmental Stewardship scheme

Farmers looking to enter Environmental Stewardship will now be offered a greater range of options, making it easier for making it easier for them to join the 35,000 farmers already being paid to care for the environment, Natural England announced recently.

The additional options have been introduced this month and are available for all new agreements from 1 May. In addition to the introduction of these new options, points allocations and payments have been increased for the existing in-field tree and mixed stocking options. These changes reflect alterations to the requirements for these options.

There are three new options for both Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) and two new capital items for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS).

Most of the new options will be of particular interest to farmers who want to tackle issues concerning potential soil erosion as part of their Stewardship agreement.

The new options include:

  • 12m wide grass strips along watercourses in ELS and OELS

  • Maintenance of watercourse fencing in ELS and OELS

  • Enhanced management of maize crops in ELS

  • The provision of hard bases for livestock feeder and drinkers in HLS. The HLS options extend the availability of these options following their successful use within the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative.

Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England said, “Stewardship schemes already cover 65% of farmed land in England. By adding these new options we hope that even more farmers will be able to benefit from Environmental Stewardship schemes and contribute to the environmental benefits they are designed to deliver”.

Full details of the new and revised options can be found within the Handbook addenda, or by speaking to you local adviser or calling 0300 060 1115.

 

Notes to editors:

Full option details

2 new ELS/OELS options:

  • EJ9/OJ9 - 12m riparian buffer strip on cultivated land. Points allocation 400/ha (ELS) and 500/ha (OELS). Similar option to current buffer strip options on cultivated land.

  • EJ11/OJ11 – Maintenance of watercourse fencing. Points allocation 4 per 100m. Equivalent option to maintenance of woodland fencing.

1 new ELS option:

  • EJ10 – Enhanced management of maize crops to reduce soil erosion and run-off. Points allocation 94/ha. Combines early harvest with establishment of cover crop.

1 new OELS option:

  • OF11 Uncropped, cultivated strips for rare plants on arable land. Points allocation 460/ha. Extending availability of current ELS option into OELS.

2 new HLS capital items:

  • HBD – Hard base for livestock drinker. £85/drinker.

  • HBF – Hard base for livestock feeder. £120/feeder.

3 amended options:

  • EC1/OC1 – protection zone extended from edge of canopy to 2m beyond edge of canopy. Points allocation raised to 16 points per tree (from 12 per tree)

  • EC2/OC2 - protection zone extended from edge of canopy to 2m beyond edge of canopy. Points allocation raised to 11 per tree (from 8 per tree)

  • EK5/OK5 – proportion of cattle raised to 30% (from 15%). Points allocation raised to 9/ha (from 8/ha)

Green farming schemes

  • Green farming schemes were first introduced 21 years ago in response to concerns about the impact of agriculture on the environment

  • Annually Natural England distributes about £450m on Entry Level and Higher Level Stewardship schemes

  • About 5m hectares of land - 65% of all farmed land in England – is under a stewardship scheme

Natural England


Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005.

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