CSS options receive a mixed response

1 February 2002




CSS options receive a mixed response

RATES for the seven arable options added to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme have met with a mixed response from advisors and growers alike.

For 90% of farmers the schemes will, at best, only compensate for what they lose, says Strutt and Parkers Matthew Ward. "I do not think the payments go far enough."

He foresees some uptake on lighter land without weed problems, where the options suit the cropping. But on stronger soils uptake is likely to be limited, due to the greater income foregone in terms of yields, difficulty establishing spring crops, and grassweed problems, he says.

"The over-wintered stubble followed by fallow option looks like a recipe for blackgrass."

Similarly, restricted herbicide options rule out use of some key actives such as ipu and trifluralin making the sustainability of the blackgrass control questionable, says Mr Ward.

Applications for arable stewardship options will need to form part of a whole farm Countryside Stewardship plan, points out Yorks-based ADAS environmental consultant Joanna Gramshaw.

"It is vital to get hold of the objective list for your area. If you fulfil these objectives your applications are more likely to be accepted," she says.

Supporting data such as surveys of birds present on the farm will help.

Both Mrs Gramshaw and Mr Ward believe the 10-year commitment required, with no guarantee that payment rates will be maintained, will also discourage growers from taking arable options.

Besides that payment uncertainty, the time commitment could pose problems for growers wishing to sell up within the time frame, it seems.

One such grower is Keith Poole who already has land in Countryside Stewardship. "If I sell up within the remaining years of the scheme and the buyer decides not to continue the scheme then I have a problem. I have to pay back all the money and the interest to DEFRA."

Applications for the arable options should be included with Countryside Stewardship Scheme applications, closing date May 31. Those in an existing scheme will normally need to make a new application, says DEFRA. &#42

&#8226 Seven options available.

&#8226 Check regional objectives.

&#8226 Include in whole farm conservation plan.

&#8226 10-year commitment required.

&#8226 Details from DEFRA regional offices.

Not happy with CSS payment rates… Matthew Ward of Strutt & Parker. Insetad of encouraging growers to participate, its rates and red tape are likely to turn many off.

Description (£/ha)

OWS followed by fallow 520

OWS followed by spring crop 40OWS followed by low 125 input spring cereal

CH – restricted herbicides 90 and insecticides

CH – no fertiliser, restricted 270 herbicide and insecticide

Purpose sown wild bird 510 seed areas

Purpose sown pollen and 510 nectar areas

OWS = over wintered stubble,CH = conservation headland.


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