Environemtal Schemes
Changes to Agricultural Support
The funding for UK agriculture is evolving, with a move away from area based payments and an emphasis on environmental improvements, public money for public goods and payments calculated on an income foregone basis.
The historic Basic Payment Scheme has moved to De-Linked payments with the final payments due in 2026. The introduction of the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) has evolved over recent years and includes the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Scheme, Landscape Recovery and a range of Capital Grants.
Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS)
The CSS was introduced in 2015 and following changes in 2024, the Higher-Tier and Capital Grants sections remain open for applications in 2026.
The Scheme comprises of 3 'Tiers', a base tier consisting of capital only grants, a Mid-Tier covering a range of field parcel options and larger capital grants suitable for most farms (now closed to new applications), and a Higher Tier aimed at the most sensitive sites.
Capital Only Grants offer funding towards a range of capital options aimed at Water & Air Quality and Boundary improvements. Popular options include fencing, concrete yard renewal, roofing over manure or silage clamps, wall restoration and hedgerow gapping, laying or planting. Grants are now capped at £25,000 to 35,000 per sector in any one calendar year. These are anticipated to open again in July 2026.
Mid-Tier Schemes offered both capital grants and annual revenue payments from a large range of options suitable to most farm types. This tier is now closed to new applicants with most revenue options offered under the new SFI scheme.
Higher-Tier Schemes can be complex, often involving vast areas, collaboration between farmers and common land or shared grazing. Specialist advice should be sought at an early stage as schemes often require PA1/2 feasibility studies before an application can be considered.
Application are by invite only for the Higher-Tier with Capital grants opening up on an annual basis, the next round due in July 2026.
For a free initial discussion on the suitability of the scheme for your holding contact our office.
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
The SFI is the first level of the new Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) to be launched, it opened from June 2022. The sustainable farming incentive rewards farmers for enhancing the environment. It is aimed at paying farmers to improve water quality, biodiversity and animal health and welfare while encouraging climate change mitigation. The focus on this initial release is on management options to improve soil health, nutrient management, pest management, hedgerows and farm wildlife.
The original Land Management options were based around Standards and Ambition Levels. These have now been replaced with a menu of Actions/Options available to all farmers. Changes in 2024 saw a further 50 options added with a move of many prescriptions from CSS Mid-Tier. Further changes in 2026 see the removal of some options, a cap on certain options and an overall budgetary cap of £100,000/year for each scheme.
Not all land parcels have to be entered into an action. Different parcels can be entered into different actions depending on land type and some of the actions can overlap existing stewardship schemes where this does not create double funding.. To assist with cashflow this payment will be made quarterly starting three months after the agreement start date.
The SFI scheme is due to re-open in June 2026 for small farmers (3-50ha) and for businesses without an existing SFI scheme. A further round will be available in September 2026 for all other applicants, each round having its own budgetary cap.
Contact our team to arrange an initial meeting to discuss how the scheme can work for your farm.
Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS)
ELMS is the Governments flagship new support scheme which will aim to pay Public Money for Public Goods. Rolled out in phases from 2022 and comprising a range of levels, the scheme is designed to appeal to all farmers and land managers. The term ELMS covers a range of levels of support including:
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
The first level of the scheme, open on a rolling monthly basis, is the Sustainable Farming Incentive and is available to all farmers and landowners in England. It pays for sustainable practices based on the land type and have a range of levels to suit most farm types. Originally launched in 2022 and updated in 2023, 2024 and 2026, the scheme has more actions available with revised payments. Opening back up for applications from small farmers and businesses without an existing ELMS scheme in June 2026 and with a full release in September 2026. The scheme is capped at £100,000/year/business and has a range of 71 options under the 2026 offer, with agreement lengths of 3 years and quarterly payments.
Landscape Recovery (LR)
The upper level of the scheme is designed for large scale and long term projects covering multiple holdings or large areas and involving collaboration between farmers. This will be the last part of ELMS to be launched and is currently being tested and developed by DEFRA.
Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)
A scheme to help farmers adapt to the changes in agriculture. This scheme is aimed at upland farmers within a National Park or AONB, it will provide advice and funding for businesses to diversify incomes, prepare for ELMS and create more green jobs.
We've Moved
Please note that Hardcastle Rural Surveyors have moved to a new office in Risplith, to the west of Ripon.
Located just off the B6265 Ripon to Pateley Bridge Road, the new office is convenient for clients and has ample parking. Out new address is:
The Old Coal Yard, Risplith, Ripon HG4 3EW