Overview of Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship, including eligible actions like field margins, hedgerow management, and grassland restoration, with guidance on application, payment rates, and combining grants with other schemes for maximum support.
The Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme offers numerous opportunities for landowners and farmers to enhance environmental management while integrating these practices into their agricultural operations. One of the key features of Mid-Tier is its flexibility, allowing for a wide variety of actions to be implemented based on land use and conservation priorities.
In addition to this flexibility, Mid-Tier agreements can also be strategically combined with other Countryside Stewardship schemes such as Capital Grants and Higher-Tier agreements, creating a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship and farm productivity.
What is Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship?
Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship is part of the broader Environmental Land Management (ELM) framework and is specifically designed to offer a balance between environmental enhancement and ongoing agricultural production. It covers a range of land management activities aimed at delivering targeted environmental outcomes. Typical activities under Mid-Tier include creating buffer strips, establishing field margins, restoring grasslands, and managing hedgerows.
Key Benefits of Mid-Tier:
- Flexibility: Allows landowners to choose actions that suit their specific farm needs.
- Environmental Focus: Supports biodiversity, water quality, soil health, and climate resilience.
- Funding Combinations: Can be combined with other Countryside Stewardship agreements and schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).
Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Options
The scheme offers various options that address different environmental goals. These include, but are not limited to:
Field Margins and Buffer Strips
These options create vital wildlife habitats and act as natural barriers that reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.
- SW1: 4-6m Buffer Strip on Cultivated Land
- Payment Rate: £353 per hectare (ha) per year
- Purpose: Prevent soil erosion and improve water quality along field edges.
- AB8: Flower-Rich Margins and Plots
- Payment Rate: £539 per hectare (ha) per year
- Purpose: Increase biodiversity by providing habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects.
Grassland Management
These options focus on maintaining or enhancing grasslands, which are crucial for supporting species-rich habitats.
- GS6: Management of Species-Rich Grassland
- Payment Rate: £182 per hectare (ha) per year
- Purpose: Conserve and restore species-rich grasslands.
Hedgerow Management and Planting
Hedgerows serve as natural corridors for wildlife, providing food, shelter, and connectivity between habitats.
- BN11: Planting New Hedgerow Trees
- Payment Rate: £1.60 per tree, plus £6.80 for tree protection
- Purpose: Enhance the structural diversity and habitat value of existing hedgerows.
Eligibility and Application Process for Mid-Tier
Eligibility:
The Mid-Tier scheme is open to landowners and farmers in England who have management control of the land for the duration of the agreement (typically 5 years). Eligible land includes arable land, grassland, and woodland.
Who Can Apply:
- Owner-occupiers
- Tenants with at least a 5-year tenancy agreement
- Landlords, with the tenant’s agreement
- Licensors, provided they have management control
Application Process:
- Check Eligibility:Ensure that your land is registered with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and meets the necessary eligibility criteria.
- Select Appropriate Options:Choose from the range of Mid-Tier options that best match your environmental and land management goals. Use the Countryside Stewardship grant finder or consult with an adviser for guidance.
- Create a Countryside Stewardship Management Plan:Develop a management plan that outlines the options chosen and how they will be implemented. Include maps and any necessary supporting evidence.
- Submit Your Application:Applications are submitted through the RPA’s online system. Attach your management plan and any other required documentation.
- Implement and Monitor Your Agreement:Once approved, implement the selected actions and maintain accurate records. Submit evidence of activities as required to support payment claims.
Combining Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship with Other Schemes
Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship can be stacked or combined with other environmental and agricultural schemes, allowing landowners to maximise environmental benefits and financial support.
Combining with Capital Grants:
Mid-Tier agreements can include Capital Grants to fund one-off items such as installing fencing, planting trees, and constructing ponds. This helps to enhance the scope of the Mid-Tier agreement.
Higher-Tier Combinations:
If you have land parcels under Higher-Tier agreements, you can still apply for additional Mid-Tier options provided that the actions do not overlap or receive double funding.
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI):
Land already under a Mid-Tier agreement can still benefit from SFI actions, such as soil health improvements, provided there is no double funding. This is particularly relevant for landowners looking to enhance their environmental management practices while maintaining productivity.
England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO):
Mid-Tier can also work alongside EWCO to support woodland creation and management, making it a flexible option for landowners interested in creating new woodlands or enhancing existing ones.
Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship offers an array of opportunities for farmers and landowners to improve their environmental management while accessing financial support. Its flexibility, combined with the potential to stack or integrate with other schemes, makes it a valuable tool in achieving long-term environmental goals.
If you are considering Mid-Tier, evaluate how it can complement other funding options and seek advice to ensure that your management plan optimally balances productivity and environmental stewardship.
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