Changes to all Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)
The latest changes to ELS and HLS affect all new applications after 15th August 2008. Applications made after this date will be subject to new handbook rules. The updated handbooks can be found on the Natural England website – www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/default.aspx
A change that farmers should be aware of is when giving up or taking new land, they will need to notify Natural England within 3 months.
Various options have been amended, including:
• The minimum area for field corner management has increased from 1 hectare to 2 hectares
• There has been extension to the period when hedges can be cut by one month. The period is now from 1st March until 31st July.
• The popular option for the grassland with low inputs has been modified so that you can no longer top the grassland unless you are controlling weeds.
• The brassica fodder crops option has also been withdrawn.
For a full list of options and amendments please read the new handbook by following the link above.
A significant change sees more funding available under the HLS. This is hoped to attract more applications and will hopefully mean that more applications are accepted.
More recent changes to ELS will make it easier for landowners to conform to their agreements. Changes to penalties mean landowners now have two ways to mitigate a breach of their ELS agreement. For example if an option is to maintain 50 metres of hedgerow, if this is breached because the hedge is 5 metres short this shortfall can now be offset if an additional 5 metres is available elsewhere. If this is not possible a landowner will lose points relating to the 5 metres of hedgerow rather than losing all the points relating to the hedgerow option. These changes give landowners with ELS agreements greater flexibility while ensuring the environment benefits.
A new Uplands ELS (UELS) is to be introduced in 2010 as a replacement for the Hill Farm Allowance (HFA). The ULES will change uplands support from an annual scheme to a five year agreement with a requirement that the agreement holder has full management control of the land. This will require a review of arrangements where HFA has been claimed by grazing licensees of those with tenancies less than 5 years.
For further information on the recent changes to ELS, UELS and HLS please contact Matthew Burton 01244 409668 email: m.burton@dentonclark.co.uk