Two new CS Higher Tier options open for farmers in England

Farmers and land managers in England can now register interest in two new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) single-focus agreements, covering traditional orchards and wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl.

The options opened on 3 November and build on single-focus agreements introduced in July for species-rich grassland and scheduled monument management.

See also: Defra drops Higher Tier CS invite-only rule

Single-focus agreements offer a simplified route to funding for a specific priority environmental action. More than 1,100 expressions of interest (EOI) have already been submitted for the existing agreements.

How to apply

Applicants must complete an EOI form. Before doing so, they should read the CSHT applicant’s guide to check eligibility, and make sure their business email, phone number and Rural Payments service permissions are up to date.

Those acting on someone else’s behalf need the correct permissions. Out-of-date details risk delays or rejection.

Anyone interested in more than one topic must submit a separate EOI for each.

Farmers should not apply if they have already been invited to apply for CSHT, are at the pre-application stage or expecting Natural England pre-application advice, or have an agreement expiring more than nine months after the EOI date.

Natural England, or Historic England for scheduled monuments, will make contact within 10 weeks to explain next steps and whether a site visit is needed.

Applicants should have Rural Payments Agency (RPA) land parcel numbers and sizes ready. An EOI does not guarantee an offer.

Survey requirement

Those applying for species-rich grassland between 1 November and 31 March must supply data from a previous survey, as this falls outside the normal survey season.

The rule does not apply to land in expiring HK6, GRH6 or GS6 agreements.

Wider rollout

The EOI process also covers agroforestry and woodland improvement agreements. Defra says it is rolling out the full CSHT offer to more farmers and will update those with expiring Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements before they end.

The announcement follows confirmation in July made by the then Defra secretary Emma Reynolds at Groundswell, that CSHT would open to direct applications.

Defra said up to 1,200 single-focus agreements would be available in the first cohort, with at least £50m for new Higher Tier agreements this year, though Natural England will prioritise farmers with expiring agreements and those who have done preparatory work.