New changes to the rates and application limits for Countryside Stewardship grants have just been announced. These are due in no small part to effective lobbying by the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Tenant Farmers Association, and address members’ fears that the delivery of improvements would have suffered due to cost inflation.
At the start of the year, Defra announced that new rates would apply in respect of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This meant farmers would receive up to a 48% increase in payments, depending on the options selected, for all agreements starting in 2023.
The NFU raised the concern that many farmers who had existing Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreements from before January 2023 would not reap the rewards of the change. Defra acknowledged this and advised that payment rates were constantly under review.
On 13 March, following a review by Defra and the Rural Payments Agency’s, it was announced the £20K payment cap for standalone capital items will be removed.
Grant groupings and completion time limits
This will cover the four capital grant groupings: trees, natural flood management, boundaries, and air and water quality. You can apply in each of the groups with no maximum limit amount. If successful, the approved work must now be completed within 3 years – an increase from the previous limit of 2 years.