Hill farmers play a crucial role in the delivery of environmental and landscape benefits in upland areas, but need extra payments to enable them to do this saysTom Rattray
Hill farmers must start planning for the new Uplands Entry Level Stewardship Scheme (ELS) now, or risk losing out on valuable payments, according to rural agent Savills.
Although the Uplands ELS does not start until July next year, applications can take some time to complete, and late submission will mean the loss of payments, says Bodmin-based surveyor, Tom Rattray. "Nobody is thinking about it yet – but when the original ELS came into force everyone panicked and struggled to get their applications in on time. Now is the time to start thinking about your Uplands ELS application so that you can get your maps and plans together ready for the 1st of July start date."
Application forms will be available some months in advance, and agreements run for five years. "You therefore need to take a long-term view of your farm management and get the scheme right from the start."
The Uplands ELS replaces the Hill Farming Allowance and will reward upland farmers for the provision and maintenance of landscape and environmental benefits. It is an additional and supplementary strand to the existing ELS, open to farmers in England’s Severely Disadvantaged Areas like Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor. Higher payment rates will recognise the additional costs of farming in the uplands, with holdings of less than 15ha in moorland areas receiving £23/ha compared to the current ELS rate of £8/ha. Holdings over 15ha in moorland areas, or those below the moorland line, will receive £62/ha against an ELS payment of £30/ha.
"Hill farmers play a crucial role in the delivery of environmental and landscape benefits in upland areas, but need extra payments to enable them to do this," says Mr Rattray. "Although the Uplands ELS is not a competitive scheme, farmers will need to obtain points by selecting different land management options and adhering to them for five years. It is therefore important to consider likely changes to the business in the medium term, to ensure there are no clashes of interest."
Farmers who apply to the scheme in sufficient time will only face a gap of around 10 months between their final Hill Farming Allowance in March 2010 and their first Uplands ELS payment in January 2011. "But those who apply late will face a longer delay, which could be of critical importance to cash flow at what is often a difficult time of year," says Mr Rattray. "By taking action now, farmers can maximise their income and start to plan for any capital works or management changes chosen under the new scheme."
For more information on the Uplands ELS, or to find out how Savills can help in submitting your application, call Tom Rattray on 01208 264 408.