ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Since the launch of Environmental Stewardship we have secured over £9 million of grant funding for clients in the south east.

53 ELS and OELS applications covering 6156ha
                  and
49 HLS applications covering 8281ha                                    Last application submitted
                                                                                                                           4th March 2008

Background to Stewardship

1991 sees the introduction of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) by the Countryside Commission. This provides capital payments for works such as barn restoration, hedge restoration and pond creation.
Agreement holders are given annual payments in return for carrying out specific sensitive land management.

2000 sees the launch of the England Rural Development Plan. This is the umbrella under which agri-environment schemes sit (CSS, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Stewardship), this comprises three schemes:

	Energy Crops Scheme
	Processing and Marketing Grant
	Rural Enterprise Scheme
	Vocational Training Scheme

2005 saw the launch of Environmental Stewardship to replace CSS, ESA and OFS. There are Higher and Entry Levels and an organic strand OELS to replace OFS. ELS is available to all while HLS is targeted and competitive.

The next ten years of support………
Since the mid term review and the shift to the Single Payment Scheme Defra is placing greater emphasis on environmental benefit. The concept of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition has given a new definition to farming. It is clear that Environmental Schemes are likely to be more secure over the next ten years than payments from SPS.

Defra

October 2006 saw the launch of Natural England a new government flagship environmental organisation. This organisation brings together English Nature, the Rural Development Service and the Countryside Agency's Landscape Access and Recreation division.

Natural England is responsible for managing the whole range of work covered by the three founding bodies including Environmental Stewardship and SSSI's.

June 2007 the Rural Development Programme for England 2007 to 2013 has now been agreed with the EU. The funds are yet to filter through to Natural England but when they do Natural England will once again be looking for good quality HLS applications that deliver a range of targets.