Applications for the 1st stage of the new Slurry Infrastructure grant opened on 6 December and close on 31st January 2023. The guidance notes include information on eligibility, standard grant rates and how Defra will prioritise applications. The grant will help farmers currently with slurry systems to improve or expand their slurry storage to 6 months capacity based on existing livestock numbers. It will also fund the fitting of impermeable covers on grant-funded stores and other equipment associated with the installation. The grant rates are based on standard costs with a minimum grant of £25,000 and maximum of £250,000.
If the scheme is oversubscribed, Defra will prioritise applications from areas targeted for water and air quality and their proximity to environmental sites. High priority areas include much of the Eden catchment and parts of North and North West Cumbria, but very little of South Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales/Nidderdale; however, we are encouraging farmers from all areas to submit a 1st stage application. You must have a good understanding of your current and future slurry storage requirements - the slurry wizard can help – and we recommend you attend one of our slurry workshops for more information.