Farmers and land managers will be able to apply directly for CSHT (Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier) for the first time, Defra has announced, in a move the NFU says addresses concerns it has raised with government for several years.
Since CSHT launched last September, farmers could only apply if invited by Natural England or the Forestry Commission as part of a phased rollout.
From later this summer, that restriction will lift, and farmers and land managers will be able to start the process themselves by submitting an Expression of Interest.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds set out the changes at Groundswell Festival on 2 July, confirming that woodland agreements, agroforestry agreements and new single-focus agreements to restore species-rich grassland will open to applicants without the need for an invitation.
An initial cohort of up to 1,200 single-focus agreements for species-rich grassland restoration will be available.
Change brings much-needed transparency
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt said the NFU had been pressing Defra on the issue directly: “We welcome Defra’s decision to address a number of our concerns around access to Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier.
“Opening the scheme to direct applications will make it easier for farmers and growers delivering for nature and the environment to access the scheme, bringing much-needed transparency to a process we have been calling to improve for several years.”
“These changes should help cut bureaucracy and encourage wider uptake of valuable environmental management, such as species-rich grassland restoration, alongside food production.”
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt
Direct applications to open this summer
Since CSHT launched last September, farmers have been able to apply only if they were invited by Natural England or the Forestry Commission as part of a phased rollout.
From later this summer, that restriction will lift, and farmers and land managers will be able to start the process themselves by submitting an Expression of Interest.
Defra also confirmed plans to trial applications on common land and to increase payments for CSHT moorland and rough grazing actions, a step welcomed by the NFU as early but positive news for upland farmers.
Common land users
On support for common land users, Robyn Munt added: “Just last month, I met the former Farming Minister to highlight the benefits of single-focus agreements and the need to improve access for common land users. These changes should help cut bureaucracy and encourage wider uptake of valuable environmental management, such as species-rich grassland restoration, alongside food production. We look forward to seeing further details on how the new agreements will operate.
“The common land trial will be particularly welcome news for commoners and graziers. It is important that this work progresses quickly so it can be applied to a wider rollout. We will continue to press for a similar approach to be adopted within the Sustainable Farming Incentive.”
The announcement follows the reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive this week, which saw strong demand on its first day.
The NFU will continue to press Defra to ensure common land users can access environmental schemes fairly and that similar simplifications are applied to the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
