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ELMS Update
ELMS Update
Post date
January 2023
DEFRA has announced new actions and payments relating to the Environmental Land Management Scheme, where something for all farmers/ land managers is offered, regardless of farm type, size, location, ownership, or systems implemented.
Actions paid for include ‘Standards’ on the following land uses:
- Grassland
- Arable land
- Permanent crops
- Moorland and upland peat
- Lowland Peat
- Woodland, trees, and agroforestry
- Boundaries
- Waterbodies
- Wetland habitats
- Coastal habitats
- Lowland heathland
- Heritage
- Species recovery and management
- Access and engagement
- Animal health and welfare
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
In June 2022, DEFRA launched 3 standards within the SFI, these were:
- Arable and horticulture soils standard
- Improved grassland soils standard
- Moorland Standard
This year, DEFRA are introducing 6 new standards:
- Nutrient management standard
- Integrated pest management standard
- Hedgerows standard
- Arable and horticultural land standard
- Improved grassland standard
- Low/no input grassland standard
This scheme is provided to help reduce your costs and improve efficiency, whilst also benefitting the natural environment. If you already have an SFI agreement, additional actions and land can be added.
Annual Health and Welfare Review
The annual health and welfare review which is currently being tested with a small number of farmers, is part of the SFI offer and provides funded annual vet reviews. DEFRA plans to broaden the eligibility of the scheme, and launch Animal welfare grants in Spring, as part of their support package.
Countryside Stewardship
Countryside Stewardship (CS) pays farmers and land managers for the environmental work carried out alongside sustainable food production. The CS Capital Grant Scheme provides 3-year agreements offering capital items to achieve specific environmental benefits, which are categorised into four groups:
- Boundaries, trees, and orchards
- Water quality
- Air Quality
- Natural Flood management
Payment rates for revenue and capital options have increased on average by 48% and are applicable to new applicants and those with agreements that start on or after the 1st of January 2023.
To see the latest capital rates, click here.
CS – Plus
Countryside Stewardship Plus will reward farmers who work with neighbouring farmers and landowners to support climate and nature targets. The scheme is intended to evolve throughout 2023 and into 2024, with 30 additional actions available to farmers by the end of 2024. As the scheme develops, DEFRA hope to merge the SFI and CS offer into a single, integrated service where land managers can select actions from both schemes that work better for them.
Fore more information on the above schemes, please click here.
FFRF
If you are feeling concerned about the future of your farming business, are not sure how to handle the wide range of changes in policy as well as direct support, we understand.
The Agricultural Transition creates many challenges but also opportunities – we can help you navigate these changes on an individual one to one basis.
As part of the Future Farming Resilience Fund, AKC are working with NIAB and Savills to offer free tailored advice to support you during the transition away from BPS payments and the move towards payment for public goods.
For more information, please contact James Berry on 01380 724687
