Farmers told to Act Now for This Year’s Funding Schemes

Both the Rural Payments Agency and the Catchment Sensitive Farming organisation have this week issued statements to farmers to act now to avoid disappointment and last minute panic.  With the BPS, Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) claim deadlines all being the 15^th May the RPA is urging farmers to review their data now allowing time to make any changes and amendments necessary.  This may be ironic to some who are still awaiting CS payments due in 2018.  Further to this Catchment Sensitive Farming have been writing to holdings in the area urging them to act now to arrange inspections for Stewardship options requiring specialist approval.  Last year Catchment Sensitive Farming Officers (CFSO’s) were having to refuse visits requested at the last minute.  With high value items potentially funded through either stand alone agreements (£10,000 Maximum grant) or as part of a multi-year CS scheme we strongly urge anybody who is looking at works on their holding to improve water quality and reduce run-off to consider the stewardship options currently available.  As always our specialist team is happy to help, 01423 860322.