The NFU is expecting further information on CS (Countryside Stewardship) Higher Tier to be published before Christmas.
This should be the detail for each of the options along with information on how the scheme will be delivered.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said he was “extremely concerned about the rumoured delay to the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme”.
“If true, it’s yet another hammer blow for a fragile farming community many of whom have held conservation agreements for decades,” he said.
Cashflow and confidence are crucial
The delay has sparked concerns for uplands farmers in particular who have been given very limited opportunities to access the new ELM schemes.
“This means farmers, particularly those in the uplands, where many are in Higher Tier type agreements, are unable to go that extra mile and deliver for the environment alongside their main role of producing food,” David said.
“It’s a shame I have to repeat my call to the Food Security minister that he ensures all HLS agreement holders receive an uplifted payment to compensate for the loss of direct payment during their agreements.”
The NFU is calling for a mechanism to allow farmers with existing environmental schemes, such as HLS or Mid Tier Countryside agreements, to transfer over into these new schemes so they can work better for their farm.
“It’s a shame I have to repeat my call to the Food Security minister that he ensures all HLS agreement holders receive an uplifted payment to compensate for the loss of direct payment during their agreements.”
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
This is why the NFU is asking for an uplift in HLS payments to help close the funding gap and prevent those who have been pro-active in engaging in agri-environmental schemes from being penalised.
“I’m also urging the Minister to establish and meet with the Upland Working Group as soon as possible – something he promised the NFU three months ago,” David added.
“It’s vital Defra gets this right and brings the application date for CS Higher Tier forward. Cashflow and confidence are absolutely crucial in helping farmers plan for 2025 and beyond.”
Changes expected to CS Higher Tier
The NFU is expecting changes to CS Higher Tier, with applications being made online and a rolling application window with monthly start dates (similar to SFI).
The Higher Tier options will be bespoke, as has been the case with existing higher level agri-environment scheme offers. This means options may need an implementation plan or a feasibility study agreed with the government’s advisers to form part of the agreement. Some of this work may need to be done before you apply.
In May, an overview of the future offer and an indicative list of the actions was been published on: GOV.UK | Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier 2025.
The NFU expects the new offer to contain the same breadth of options.
Is your agreement about to expire?
Defra has announced arrangements to transition agreement holders into the new offer. As the new offer is not available, mirror or extensions are being offered.
The RPA is offering a two-year extension to eligible HLS agreements expiring in 2024. For HLS agreements expiring in 2025, Natural England will review each case and recommend either a one or two year extension.
If your CS Higher Tier agreement expires at the end of 2024, or is partly expiring, you’ll be offered a mirror agreement with the same duration. The agreement will be identical to your existing agreement.
