Some News…Give HNR a call to discuss…

Higher Level Stewardship agreement extensions

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) is part of the Environmental Stewardship scheme. It is the predecessor to Countryside Stewardship.

At the moment, there are approximately 8,500 HLS agreements delivering important environmental benefits on valuable habitats. For example, on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Under European Union rules RPA could only offer annual extensions for HLS agreements.

Since 2019, we’ve offered annual extensions to HLS agreements in cases where agreements continue to deliver environmental outcomes.

Although annual extensions are welcome, longer extensions offer greater flexibility and certainty. Not only does it reduce bureaucracy, it ensures the continued delivery of environmental benefits as RPA roll out our new environmental land management schemes.

For that reason, from 2023 onwards existing agreement holders will be offered extensions of 5 years.

Agreement holders will be written to shortly with further information.

For Further details read the GOV.UK blog https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2022/08/15/environmental-stewardship-an-update/

Up-coming Cross Compliance dates…

1 September	You can cut or trim hedges and trees from this date. (GAEC* 7a and GAEC 7c)
1 September	For any land located in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), this is the start of the closed period for applying organic manure with a high readily available nitrogen content (for example, slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge) to grassland on shallow or sandy soils. (SMR** 1)
1 September	For any land located in an NVZ, this is the start of the closed period for applying manufactured nitrogen fertilisers to tillage land. (SMR 1)
15 September	For any land located in an NVZ, this is the start of the closed period for applying manufactured nitrogen fertilisers to grassland. (SMR 1)
16 September	For any land located in an NVZ, this is the start of the closed period for applying organic manure with a high readily available nitrogen content (for example, slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge) to tillage land on shallow or sandy soils that have been sown with crops on or before 15 September. (SMR 1)
30 September	This is the deadline for Lump Sum Exit scheme applications. (GOV.UK)