COUNTRYSIDE PRODUCTIVITY SMALL GRANT SCHEME REOPENING THIS AUTUMN
We are getting a lot of interest in this scheme from members and the latest news from Defra is that it will re-open in the autumn but no dates yet. We are also getting queries from members submitting claims and the following information may be helpful from queries we have had over the past week:
- You need to buy all the equipment listed in your offer letter/email. One member wanted to buy sheep handling equipment but not the weigh scales, but it was confirmed that he would only get the grant if he bought all the items in his grant offer.
- The grant is paid at 40% of the standard cost and not what you have paid for the item. It is important that the equipment meets the specification in the handbook but if the item is cheaper than the standard cost, you still get 40% of this cost and not what you paid despite submitting the invoice as evidence.
STEWARDSHIP SCHEMES UPDATE
Mid-Tier Deadline now 31st August
Note that the Mid-Tier deadline has been extended from 31st July to 31st August.
Derogations
If you are still affected by the weather conditions despite the recent rain, you can ask Natural England for either a Derogation under Environmental Stewardship (ES) or a Minor and Temporary Adjustment (MTA) under Countryside Stewardship – we can provide more detail on how to do this if needed.
Re-submission of 2017 applications
Anyone who received their Mid Tier agreement offer after 15 May 2018 and rejected it because the offer arrived too late can re-submit their application for an agreement starting on 1 January 2019. Re-submission is only available to Higher Tier applicants in exceptional circumstances. The deadline for requesting a re-submission form was 15 June 2018 (for both Mid Tier and Higher Tier) and the deadline for receipt of re-submitted applications is 31 August 2018.