The Rural Payments Agency and Natural England will be working to get payments to the remaining recipients as soon as possible to fund environmentally friendly farming, restore hedges and improve water quality
20,065 farmers have now received advance Environmental Stewardship payments, equating to £47.5m, according to the latest figures from Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency.
As announced earlier this year, the remaining payments will be made by November and December in recognition of the importance of early payments to the rural community.
The Rural Payments Agency and Natural England will be working to get payments to the remaining recipients as soon as possible to fund environmentally friendly farming, restore hedges and improve water quality.
In addition over 3,500 applications have been received by Natural England for the new and competitive Countryside Stewardship scheme, which will also deliver around £900m over the next 5 years to support farmers to make the improvements needed in their local area.
Commenting on the latest figures Farming Minister George Eustice said:
“We have worked hard to overcome setbacks earlier this year and I am pleased to confirm that the payment of the first instalment under Environmental Stewardship schemes have begun to be paid.
“We have also seen strong interest in the mid-tier and high-tier Countryside Stewardship schemes with over 3,500 applications received. We have a good track record in delivering results for the environment through our approach to Countryside Stewardship with measures to support farmland birds, pollinators and improved water quality.”