A guide for tenant farmers on navigating Countryside Stewardship, covering available options, eligibility criteria, necessary landlord permissions, and practical advice for making the most of the scheme while addressing the unique challenges they face.
The Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme offers a range of grants and support for landowners and tenant farmers to implement sustainable land management practices and enhance the environment. While the scheme is open to tenant farmers, there are several unique considerations and challenges they need to address when applying for CS funding. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Countryside Stewardship scheme from a tenant farmer’s perspective, covering eligibility, available options, restrictions, and practical advice on making the most of CS opportunities.
An Overview of Countryside Stewardship
The Countryside Stewardship scheme provides financial incentives for farmers and land managers to improve biodiversity, enhance water quality, reduce flood risk, and protect the landscape. The scheme is divided into three main tiers: Mid-Tier, Higher-Tier, and Capital Grants, each designed to support specific environmental actions. Tenant farmers can apply for all tiers of the scheme as long as they meet the eligibility criteria, but there are some additional considerations to keep in mind.
Key Benefits of Countryside Stewardship for Tenant Farmers:
- Access to Financial Support: Tenant farmers can receive payments for implementing environmental improvements, such as hedgerow management, buffer strips, and cover cropping.
- Flexible Options: The scheme offers a wide range of options that can be tailored to the specific characteristics of the rented land.
- Integration with Other Schemes: Tenant farmers can combine Countryside Stewardship with the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) or the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) to increase overall funding and achieve multiple environmental goals.
Unique Considerations for Tenant Farmers in Countryside Stewardship
While tenant farmers can access the same funding opportunities as owner-occupiers, they must consider several additional factors when applying for Countryside Stewardship:
Management Control and Duration of Tenure
Tenant farmers must have management control of the land for the duration of the Countryside Stewardship agreement. For Mid-Tier and Higher-Tier agreements, this typically means having a tenancy agreement that covers a minimum of five years. If the tenancy is shorter than the agreement period, tenant farmers need written consent from their landlord to continue the agreement should their tenancy end before the CS contract expires.
Tip: Ensure your tenancy agreement is for at least five years or that your landlord is willing to provide written permission to continue the agreement if your tenancy ends early.
Obtaining Landlord Consent
For many Countryside Stewardship options, tenant farmers must obtain written consent from their landlords before applying. This is to ensure that both the tenant and the landlord understand and agree to the commitments involved, such as restrictions on land use or requirements for maintaining capital items like fencing or tree planting.
Tip: Have open discussions with your landlord about your plans to apply for Countryside Stewardship, and secure written permission well before the application deadline.
Capital Grants and Restrictions on Permanent Infrastructure
Capital Grants can be used by tenant farmers to implement one-off environmental improvements, such as planting trees, installing fencing, or creating ponds. However, permanent infrastructure improvements, like constructing buildings or major alterations to the landscape, might require additional consent from the landlord and may not always be permissible within a tenancy agreement.
Tip: Review your tenancy agreement and consult with your landlord to determine what types of capital projects are allowed under your current lease.
Available Countryside Stewardship Options for Tenant Farmers
Tenant farmers have access to the same Countryside Stewardship options as landowners. Here’s an overview of some popular options that are particularly suited to tenant farmers:
Mid-Tier Options
Mid-Tier options are ideal for tenant farmers because they offer a range of environmental management activities that can be implemented within the scope of most tenancy agreements without requiring major land use changes.
- Field Margins and Buffer Strips: Options like SW1: 4-6m Buffer Strip on Cultivated Land and AB8: Flower-Rich Margins and Plots support biodiversity and improve water quality along field edges.
- Hedgerow Management: Options like BE3: Management of Hedgerows allow tenant farmers to manage and restore existing hedgerows, enhancing the structural diversity and providing habitat for wildlife.
- Arable Reversion to Grassland: This option is useful for tenant farmers looking to restore arable land to species-rich grassland, especially if the land has been under intensive cultivation.
Higher-Tier Options
Higher-Tier options may be more challenging for tenant farmers due to the long-term commitments and complex management plans required. However, tenant farmers managing sensitive habitats or designated sites like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) can benefit from these options if they have a long-term tenancy agreement.
- Woodland Creation and Management: Options such as WD1: Woodland Creation – Maintenance Payments support the establishment of new woodlands and provide maintenance payments for up to 10 years.
- Wetland and Water Quality Improvements: Options like WT3: Management of Wet Grassland for Wintering Waders and Wildfowl provide funding for managing wet grasslands to support bird species.
Capital Grants
Capital Grants offer flexibility for tenant farmers to implement specific projects without making long-term commitments. These grants can be used to fund the following:
- Fencing and Boundary Improvements: Grants for installing fencing along watercourses or around woodland areas can help protect sensitive habitats.
- Tree and Hedgerow Planting: Support for planting new hedgerows or trees can enhance biodiversity and landscape connectivity.
- Water Quality Measures: Grants like RP7: Sediment Traps and RP15: Watercourse Fencing help reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.
Restrictions and Challenges for Tenant Farmers in Countryside Stewardship
Tenant farmers face several restrictions and challenges when applying for Countryside Stewardship, including:
- Shorter Tenancy Agreements: Short-term tenancies may prevent tenant farmers from entering into multi-year Countryside Stewardship agreements. Even with landlord consent, the uncertainty of future tenancies can make it challenging to commit to long-term projects.
- Limitations on Capital Projects: Certain capital projects, like building permanent infrastructure or altering the landscape, may not be permissible under some tenancy agreements.
- Difficulty in Combining Schemes: While Countryside Stewardship can be combined with other schemes like SFI or EWCO, tenant farmers need to ensure that any combined activities do not breach the terms of their tenancy agreement or require additional permissions from landlords.
Practical Advice for Tenant Farmers Applying for Countryside Stewardship
To successfully apply for Countryside Stewardship and make the most of available opportunities, tenant farmers should consider the following strategies:
- Review Your Tenancy Agreement
Carefully review your tenancy agreement to identify any restrictions on land use or management activities. Discuss your plans with your landlord and obtain written consent if necessary. - Focus on Short-Term or Reversible Options
Choose options that do not require long-term commitments or permanent changes to the land. Field margins, buffer strips, and hedgerow management are good examples of reversible options that can deliver environmental benefits without long-term obligations. - Engage with Advisers Early
Consult with Countryside Stewardship advisers or local environmental consultants to identify the best options for your land and tenancy situation. Early engagement will help you navigate the application process and ensure compliance with all requirements. - Combine Capital Grants with Mid-Tier Options
Use Capital Grants to fund specific projects, like installing fencing or creating ponds, alongside Mid-Tier options for a more comprehensive environmental management approach.
Countryside Stewardship offers valuable opportunities for tenant farmers to access funding and improve the environmental value of the land they manage. By understanding the unique considerations and challenges involved, tenant farmers can choose the right options, obtain necessary permissions, and develop a successful application. With the right planning and support, tenant farmers can benefit from Countryside Stewardship while contributing to nature recovery and sustainable land management.
If you’re a tenant farmer considering Countryside Stewardship, start by reviewing your tenancy agreement, consulting with advisers, and exploring the options that best fit your environmental and agricultural goals.
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