Countryside Stewardship (CS) provides financial incentives for farmers, woodland owners, foresters and land managers to look after and improve the environment.

RPA ‘What’s Next?’ blog, 11 June saw the final date for Countryside Stewardship revenue claims. RPA received around 20,170 valid CS claims, which is an increase of more than 25% compared to last year. RPA are hoping to make payments to customers from 1 December and have already completed all of the necessary checks on over 3,700 CS Revenue claims.

In light of the announcements around the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), RPA extended the deadline for requesting an Online Application Pack for 2022 Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier, to give people a chance to consider their options as further information on SFI 2022 had been made available.

The final deadline for receipt of applications was 30 July 2021 and by this point, RPA had received nearly 7,450 applications, an increase of around 1,000 compared to last year.  These are now being processed and agreements will be sent out in the near future.

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CS is very much a valued and important scheme and as such RPA are continuing to commit to delivering it alongside planning for the new environmental land schemes as part of the Agricultural Transition Plan. RPA recognise that farmers play such an important role, and these applications will help to look after and improve the environment in many ways.

This includes conserving and restoring wildlife habitats, preserving historical features in the landscape, flood risk management and encouraging educational access. 2023 will be the last year for applying for agreements (to start in 2024), and by then RPA will have the new environmental land management schemes in place as an alternative.

RPA two top tips to help us keep processes as smooth as possible.

• If RPA sent you an email asking for more information on your claims or applications, please reply back to that initial email with your response. This keeps it easier to track responses and will reduce processing time.
• Remember to keep your evidence, just in case RPA have to ask you for it.

For further help or advice call the helpline on 03000 200 301 or e-mail: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk