Defra drops Higher Tier CS invite-only rule

Farmers and land managers in England will soon be able to apply directly for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT), marking significant expansion of access to England’s flagship agri-environment scheme.

Speaking at Groundswell in Hertfordshire on Thursday (2 July), Defra secretary Emma Reynolds said the changes would make Higher Tier “simpler and easier” to access while giving more businesses the opportunity to invest in their farms and deliver environmental improvements.

Ms Reynolds said: “The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier will be simpler and easier for more applicants to access, giving more farmers and land managers the opportunity to invest in their businesses while helping to create a richer, greener countryside for future generations.”

See also: Common land to gain access to Countryside Stewardship

Since CSHT launched in September 2025, applications have only been accepted from farmers invited by Natural England or the Forestry Commission as part of a phased rollout.

Later this summer, that restriction will be lifted, allowing farmers and land managers to submit an expression of interest themselves.

The initial offer will cover woodland and agroforestry agreements, alongside new single-focus agreements for species-rich grassland and scheduled monument management.

Defra said up to 1,200 single-focus agreements will be available in the first cohort.

The government said at least £50m will be available for new Higher Tier agreements this year. However, Natural England will continue to prioritise farmers with existing agreements due to expire and those who have already completed the preparatory work needed to apply.

Defra also confirmed it will begin trialling Higher Tier applications on common land later this year ahead of a wider rollout.

Farmers with CSHT or Higher Level Stewardship agreements ending in 2026 or early 2027 will be able to apply for new agreements.  

Reaction

The Nature Friendly Farming Network welcomed the changes but urged ministers to ensure funding is targeted effectively.

Martin Lines, chief executive of the organisation, said: “Farmers are on the front line of climate change and need ambitious government investment to help them transition to nature-friendly farming and build resilience.

“Opening up Higher Tier agreements to more farmers is a positive step that will help deliver more for nature, climate and sustainable food production.”

NFU vice-president Robyn Munt also welcomed the changes, saying opening Higher Tier to direct applications would bring “much-needed transparency” and “make it easier for farmers and growers delivering for nature and the environment to access the scheme”.

Vicki Hird, strategic lead on agriculture at The Wildlife Trusts, said the simpler approach should help more farmers, “crucially, those with smaller farms”, access funding to support “the long-term resilience of farm businesses alongside thriving nature and the tackling of climate change”.

The announcement follows the reopening of the redesigned Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) on 30 June.

Defra said demand was strong when applications opened, before settling to a steady pace. A quarter of the £60m budget for Window 1 had already been allocated.