29/03/2011

Natural England figures show that an increasing number of farmers will take advantage of Higher Level Stewardship agreements in 2011/12. An estimated 2,400 HLS applications, worth around £40m, are expected to go live in the next financial year, an increase of 700 on 2009/10; which previously had the highest demand.

Defra Chief, Caroline Spelman, said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see more and more farmers getting involved with these rewarding schemes, adopting ambitious and sustainable measures which do so much to boost wildlife and protect our natural heritage and landscape. Total spending on HLS will increase by at least 80 per cent over the next three years, and we’re working to make schemes more effective and better targeted so that farmers can continue to deliver the greatest possible benefits for biodiversity and the natural environment.”

The Farming and Environment Secretary has claimed she is eager to protect spending on Higher Level Stewardship as a means to secure the greatest possible rewards for wildlife and the natural environment. The focus of HLS agreements is currently on key conservation options involving a number of holdings, rather than spending on individual farm building renovations, to bring the benefits of the scheme to as many farmers as possible.

Jim Smyllie, Executive Director for Natural England, also commented on the unprecedented number of applications the scheme has received. Smyllie said, "We have seen exceptional demand for HLS agreements, with far more applications than it is possible to fund. We’re working to turn as many applications as possible into agreements, which is reflected in the record number we expect to go live in 2011/12. Our targeted approach to applications means that only farmers and land managers in priority locations are being asked to apply for HLS.

"As HLS is a competitive scheme, it’s inevitable that some applications will be unsuccessful – I would urge those applicants unable to join HLS at this time to consider whether they could benefit from other stewardship schemes such as ELS or Uplands ELS."