Higher Level Stewardship
 
This has been described as a “Narrow and Deep” approach. As it is competitive Natural England is targeting it at the most valuable features. There are specific measures for various habitats and species. Natural England is currently targeting Sites of Special Scientific Interest and strongholds of key farmland birds.

Payments are available for capital items which enable the farm to meet the scheme objectives. The process for applying for HLS is very time consuming and requires a detailed Farm Environment Plan survey. However annual area based payments can be as much as £335/ha.
 

HLS has a set of Primary Objectives:
  Wildlife Conservation
  Protection of Historic Environment
  Enhancement of Landscape
  Improving public access
  Resource protection
 

There are also Secondary Objectives:
  Flood Management
  Genetic Conservation
  Biodiversity  

Local Targeting

Schemes are targeted locally and Defra issues guidance on what they are looking for from schemes in certain areas. However most of the target statements have common elements such as returning SSSIs to favourable condition restoring BAP priority habitats and Defra’s Farmland Birds PSA. They also seek to protect historic features such as SAMs. Enhancement of landscapes in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and landscape features such as traditional orchards are also targeted by Defra.

   Higher Level scheme
Wintering Wader habitat on a
Dairy Farm, Pevensey Levels SSSI

Grasslands

Defra - South Downs

Catchment Sensitive Farming

This is a partnership between Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England (Rural Development Service, English Nature and Countryside Agency) which aims to improve farming practices and reduce water pollution from agriculture in forty target areas across England. Newly appointed government funded advisers will be tasked with spreading good practice and informing farmers in these areas of ways in which they can help to improve water quality and help England reach its Water Framework Directive Targets.

Land in these target catchments is likely to be targeted through the Higher Level Scheme and associated Entry Level Scheme options such as:
 
Arable reversion to unfertilised grassland to prevent erosion or run off (£280ha)
  Infield grass areas to prevent erosion or run-off (£350ha)

The target catchments can be found here and if you own or manage land in one of these areas then we believe that you should be giving an HLS application some serious consideration.

The Future

The government has shifted its policy from supporting production to supporting the environment. There are many opportunities to embrace these new schemes and access the financial incentives. However striking the right balance for your business is not always as straightforward as it may first seem.

Complete Farm Image
In conjunction with Farm Image we have developed Complete Farm Image Environmental Mapping. This map package is a cheap, easy platform to put all of your ELS, HLS, CSS or indeed any other data you require in one place.

This makes the management of each scheme easier. It ensures correct management helping to safeguard your payments - make sure the right hedges are cut each year, the right amount of wild bird cover is drilled etc... and be able to call up every management prescription relevant to each option to check what you can and cannot do at any point in the year.

For an example of the package in action please visit http://www.farmimage.co.uk/environmental-mapping.php.