Policy paper

Technical annex: The combined environmental land management offer

Updated 19 March 2024

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

The combined Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) offer will represent the largest change to agri-environment schemes in decades, delivering on the ambition we set out in the Environmental Land Management (ELM) update in January 2023.

The changes we are making include:

• expanding and improving the range of land management actions available, introducing around 50 new actions and updating many others
• increasing payment rates for many of these land management actions from 1 January 2024, which will benefit both new and existing SFI and CS agreement holders
• introducing premium payments for high value actions needed to achieve our environmental outcomes
• significantly expanding and enhancing the offer for moorlands
• simplifying and improving the offer for grassland habitats, with higher payment rates and new capital items for creating and restoring these habitats
• paying for agroforestry, precision farming and no-till practices for the first time
• introducing a range of new actions to support recovery of priority habitats and threatened native species, manage waterbodies and watercourses, and protect lowland peat
• making many actions more straightforward and accessible for farmers while still delivering the intended outcomes, for example by widening eligibility or reducing prescription
• making more actions available with a shorter 3-year agreement duration

Together, this will significantly improve our offer for all types of farmers and land managers. It will also mean we will go much further in delivering our environment and climate objectives.

The combined offer will contribute to the outcomes we set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan in January. The wide range of actions will be more attractive to farmers and land managers and help us achieve amongst other objectives 65% to 80% of landowners and farmers adopting nature friendly farming on at least 10% to 15% of their land by 2030. It will also contribute to our environmental outcomes on habitat restoration and creation, water quality and water demand, net zero, and farming in protected landscapes.

This document sets out the land management actions we will pay for in the combined SFI and CS offer. Alongside this, we will continue to pay for the capital items currently available in CS and introduce some new capital items as part of our expanded offer. We have indicated where we plan to expand our capital offer in this document and will publish full details on this soon.

The actions are set out according to the different types of land use they relate to and the different features and habitats that may be present. Some actions will be applicable to multiple land types.

The document also sets out the payment rates and duration of each action. There are 29 existing SFI and CS actions that have a duration of up to 3 years. We will introduce 16 further new actions with a 3-year duration and are exploring whether we can offer a further 41 existing CS actions as 3-year actions, including to make them more accessible to tenant farmers. These are indicated with (3Y) in the tables of this annex. We plan to review all scheme actions and prices on a rolling basis.

Later in 2024, ahead of applications opening, we will publish further information on:

• the actions – including the full details on what farmers will need to do to get paid, eligibility and which actions can be combined on the same land, and when each of the actions will become available to apply for – we will introduce as many as possible of these in 2024 and will confirm details of these timescales as part of the full scheme details early in 2024
• the new and updated capital items that will be available
• the scheme rules for the combined SFI and CS offer
• how and when to apply, including for farmers or land managers with an existing agreement

Ahead of this, we will work with farmers, land managers and the wider sector to finalise the details. This will help us ensure the offer helps to maintain a resilient, productive agricultural sector that will deliver our ambitious environmental and climate goals alongside food production.

This information does not replace existing guidance for farmers or land managers who have:

• an SFI 2023 agreement or will be applying for an SFI 2023 agreement (see the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 Handbook for information on the existing SFI actions)
• a CS agreement or will have a CS agreement starting on 1 January 2024 (see the Countryside Stewardship grant finder for information on the existing CS options)

The following sections set out the actions we will pay for, their aim, duration and payment rate grouped by type of action.

Arable land, grassland and permanent crops

The actions in this section are varied. They may be able to be done on: 

• arable land
• temporary grassland
• improved and low input (semi-improved and unimproved) permanent grassland
• land used for horticultural or non-horticultural permanent crops

You may also find relevant actions for these land types in other sections including:

• species recovery and management
• moorland and upland peat
• lowland peat
• trees and woodland
• agroforestry
• boundaries
• waterbodies
• buffer or habitat strips next to waterbodies or features
• access and engagement
• heritage

Improving soil health

The actions for soils are focused on improving soil health, structure, organic matter and biology.  

This can:

• improve the long-term productivity and resilience of the soil to benefit food production
• improve water quality
• increase biodiversity
• improve climate resilience

We are improving the existing offer by introducing new actions to pay for:

• no-till farming
• multi-species spring, summer or autumn cover crops

Existing capital items will continue to be available. This includes cover crop rollers and direct drills under the Farm Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).

Table 1a to d: Actions for soils

1a: Actions for soils on all agricultural land types

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Assess soil, test soil organic matter and produce a soil management plan	Existing SFI (SAM1)	3 years	£6.00 per hectare (ha) plus £97 per agreement	You understand the condition of your soil and effectively plan how to increase its long-term health, productivity and resilience

1b: Actions for soils on arable land

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
No-till farming	New	3 years	£73 per ha	No-till farming techniques are used to establish crops, so soil disturbance is reduced
Enhanced management of maize crops	Existing CS (SW5)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£203 per ha	Maize crops are harvested by early autumn and there is a well-established cover crop during the autumn and winter months

1c: Actions for soils on arable land and horticultural permanent crops

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Multi-species spring, summer or autumn cover	New	3 years	£153 to £163 per ha	There is a well-established multi-species cover crop during the spring, summer or autumn months
Multi-species winter cover crops	Existing SFI (SAM2)	3 years	£129 per ha	There is a well-established multi-species cover crop over the winter months

1d: Actions for soils on arable land and improved permanent grassland

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Herbal leys	Existing SFI (SAM3)	3 years	£382 per ha	To provide varied root structures

Integrated pest management (IPM)

Integrated pest management involves managing crop pests, diseases, and weeds more sustainably to minimise use of pesticides.

This can:

• improve farm productivity and resilience
• improve water, soil and air quality
• increase biodiversity

We will continue to pay for the existing actions available in SFI.

You may also be able to apply for capital items under the Farm Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).

Table 2: Actions for integrated pest management (IPM)

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Assess IPM and produce a plan	Existing SFI (IPM1)	3 years	£1,129 per agreement (agreement level action, limited to one ‘live’ agreement)	You understand the benefits, costs, impacts and risks of current approach to crop pest, weed and disease management and effectively plan how to adopt a range of appropriate IPM methods
Flower-rich grass margins, blocks, or in-field strips (on arable land or permanent crops)	Existing SFI (IPM2)	3 years	£798 per ha	There are grass margins, blocks or in-field strips containing flowering plants during the summer months into early autumn
Companion crop on arable and horticultural land	Existing SFI (IPM3)	3 years	£55 per ha	A companion crop is established, so it is growing with the main arable or horticultural crop
No use of insecticide on arable crops and permanent crops	Existing SFI (IPM4)	3 years	£45 per ha	Plant protection products containing insecticide are not used

Nutrient management

Nutrient management involves optimising the use of nutrients and managing them more efficiently.

This can:

• improve farm productivity and resilience
• improve air and water quality
• increase biodiversity
• reduce emissions

We will continue to pay for the existing actions available in SFI.

You may also be able to apply for capital items under the Farm Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) and Slurry Infrastructure Grant scheme.

Table 3: Actions for nutrient management

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Assess nutrient management and produce a review report	Existing SFI (NUM1)	3 years	£652 per agreement (agreement level action, limited to one ‘live’ agreement)	You assess your current approach to nutrient usage, and effectively plan how to manage nutrient usage more efficiently and effectively, and plan how to optimise use of organic sources of crop nutrition
Legumes on improved grassland	Existing SFI (NUM2)	3 years	£102 per ha	There are legumes growing from spring until early autumn
Legume fallow	Existing SFI (NUM3)	3 years	£593 per ha	There is a legume fallow that produces areas of flowering plants from late spring and during the summer months

Precision farming

Precision farming involves using technology to target farming activities and reduce inputs.

This can:

• reduce costs and improve yields
• improve productivity
• benefit biodiversity and soil quality
• improve air and water quality

We are introducing 4 new actions and supplements to pay for using precision farming approaches.

You may also be able to apply for capital items under the Farm Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) to help you buy precision farming equipment.

Table 4: Actions for precision farming

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Variable rate application of nutrients	New	3 years	£27 per ha	Precision farming variable rate technology is used to apply nutrients on arable, horticultural land or improved permanent grassland, to match the nutrient needs of crops for different areas within land parcels
Camera or remote sensor guided herbicide spraying	New	3 years	£43 per ha	Automated camera-guided or remote sensing technology is used to precisely target application of contact herbicides to control weeds on arable land, permanent crops or permanent grassland
Robotic mechanical weeding	New	3 years	£150 per ha	Robotic mechanical weeding technology is used for precision weed control on arable and horticultural land
Robotic non-mechanical weeding	New	3 years	£101 per ha	Robotic non-mechanical weeding technology is used, such as laser or electric weeders, for precision weed control on arable and horticultural land

Farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land

Arable land used to grow crops can be managed to support farmland wildlife alongside food production. As well as the actions in this section, actions in other sections of this information can also be done on arable and horticultural land.

This can:

• increase biodiversity, by providing food and habitat for farmland birds, pollinators and a range of other farmland wildlife
• reduce costs and improve farm resilience, by supporting an integrated pest management approach

We will continue to pay for the existing actions available in SFI and CS.

Table 5a and b: Actions for farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land

5a: Actions to provide nesting and foraging habitats for farmland wildlife

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Pollen and nectar flower mix	Existing SFI (AHL1)	3 years	£739 per ha	There is a pollen and nectar flower mix which produces areas of flowering plants from late spring and during the summer months
Autumn sown bumblebird mix	Existing CS (AB16)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£747 per ha	There are blocks or strips containing a mix of seed-bearing crops and flower species. The sown areas produce a supply of small seeds for seed-eating farmland birds from late autumn until late winter and pollen and nectar-rich flowers during the growing season
Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land	Existing SFI (AHL2)	3 years	£853 per ha	There are winter bird food areas that produce a supply of small seeds for smaller farmland birds from late autumn until late winter
Grassy field corners and blocks	Existing SFI (AHL3)	3 years	£590 per ha	There is an intact grass sward throughout the year, without tracks, compacted areas or poaching, so tussocky grass can develop
Supplementary winter feeding for farmland birds	Existing CS (AB12)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£732 per tonne for every 2ha	To supplement winter bird food crops, additional seed is scattered to give seed-eating farmland birds food through the late winter period
Beetle banks	Existing CS (AB3)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£764 per ha	There is a raised earth bank with a dense grass cover to provide nesting and foraging habitats for pollinators, small mammals, some farmland birds and insects
Skylark plots	Existing CS (AB4)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£11 per plot (minimum 2 plots per ha)	There are fallow plots within winter cereal crops to provide nesting habitats for skylarks until the cereal crop is harvested
Nesting plots for lapwing (and stone curlew, where applicable)	Existing CS (AB5)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£765 per ha	There are uncropped fallow plots on arable land to provide nesting sites for lapwing and, where applicable, stone curlew

5b: Actions to manage arable crops for farmland wildlife

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Basic overwinter stubble	Existing CS (AB2)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£58 per ha	After harvest, there is stubble over the autumn and winter months to provide a winter food source for seed-eating farmland birds
Enhanced overwinter stubble	Existing CS (AB6)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£589 per ha	After harvest, the stubble is left to provide a winter food source for seed-eating farmland birds over the autumn and winter months and spring and summer foraging and nesting habitat
Whole crop cereals	Existing CS (AB7)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£596 per ha	A spring cereal crop is harvested as a whole crop and the stubble is left over the autumn and winter months to provide over-wintering habitat for insects and seed eating farmland birds
Unharvested cereal headland	Existing CS (AB10)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£1,072 per ha	There are spring cereal plots or strips which are left unharvested over the summer, autumn and winter months
Harvested low input cereal	Existing CS (AB14)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£354 per ha	There are low input cereal plots or strips with an open crop structure, so wildflower species can grow within the cropped areas
Cultivated areas for arable plants	Existing CS (AB11)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£660 per ha	Fallow margins and plots are created annually. Cultivate plots in the spring or autumn with a surface suitable for wild plants to establish
Manage woodland edges on arable land	Existing CS (WD3)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£428 per ha	There is a strip of scrub or grass mosaic developing through natural regeneration between the arable land and the existing woodland

Grassland habitats

Grassland covers a range of different land types and habitats, including improved, low input (semi-improved and unimproved permanent grassland) and grassland priority habitats. As well as the actions in this section, actions in other sections of this information can also be done on grassland.

The actions for grassland habitats can:

• increase biodiversity
• protect soils
• reduce flood risk
• store carbon

We are improving the existing offer for grassland habitats by:

• bringing together the management actions for existing, restored or created grassland habitats into one action for each type of habitat with a higher payment rate, recognising the benefits these habitats provide and addressing anomalies in comparison to other actions
• introducing new capital items alongside this to pay for the upfront costs of restoring and creating these habitats
• offering simpler, accessible versions of these actions for farmers who want to manage existing grassland habitats and bespoke versions for farmers who are restoring or creating grasslands or on sites where the actions need to be tailored
• making the actions more flexible, for example around when you can cut, top and graze, while still achieving the desired outcomes
• introducing new actions for managing species-rich floodplain meadows and managing scrapes and gutters
• introducing a new, later cut version of the haymaking supplement which will support later flowering plant species and will allow wading birds to nest successfully

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to support the management of grassland habitat. These include fencing, gates and other items to manage livestock. In addition, we are looking to introduce a range of new capital items to support the creation and restoration of grassland habitat including obtaining the correct seed mixes.

Table 6a to c: Actions for farmland wildlife and habitats on grassland

6a: Actions to provide nesting and foraging habitats on grassland

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Take improved grassland field corners or blocks out of management	Existing SFI (IGL1)	3 years	£333 per ha	Grassland field corners or blocks are taken out of management so tussocky grass can develop
Winter bird food on improved grassland	Existing SFI (IGL2)	3 years	£515 per ha	Improved grassland is maintained so it’s left to go to seed during the autumn and winter months
Manage rough grazing for birds	Updated CS (UP2)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£121 per ha	Rough grazing is managed to provide the required habitat for bird feeding and nesting and provide wet features and areas or surface water in autumn and winter
Manage wet grassland for breeding waders	Updated CS (GS9 and GS11)	5 years	£676 per ha	Wet grassland or land that is in the process of becoming wet grassland is managed to provide nesting and feeding habitat for breeding wading birds
Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl	Updated CS (GS10 and GS12)	5 years	£547 per ha	Wet grassland or land in the process of becoming wet grassland is managed to provide roosting and feeding habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl
Manage species-rich floodplain meadows	New	5 years	£1,070 per ha	Species-rich floodplain meadows that periodically flood are managed naturally
Supplement: Manage scrapes and gutters	New	5 years	£1.17 per square metre	Existing scrapes and gutters are maintained to have areas of bare soil, seasonal shallow water in wet habitats, and hold and transport water through the habitat

6b: Actions to manage grassland habitats

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland	Updated CS (GS6, GS7 and GS8)	5 years	£646 per ha	Species-rich grassland which is a priority habitat or is in the process of becoming a priority habitat is maintained
Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features	Updated CS (GS13 and GS14)	5 years	£528 per ha	Grassland or in the process of becoming grassland managed to support target habitats and species including target species such as fungi, bats, insects, birds or rare plants
Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs - outside SDAs or within SDAs	Existing SFI (LIG1 and LIG2)	3 years	£151 per ha	There is grassland that produces a sward with flowering grasses and wildflowers from late spring and during the summer months, and with a variety of plant heights by autumn, with some covering of flowering grasses and wildflowers left to go to seed and tussocky grass allowed to develop
Supplement: Haymaking	Updated CS (GS15)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£157-£187 per ha	A crop of herb-rich hay is grown and harvested, so there are flowering grasses and wildflowers left to go to seed
Supplement: Rush control	Updated CS (GS16)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£95 per ha	The cover of rush is reduced on land where there is a heavy infestation

6c: Actions to manage livestock grazing on grassland

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Supplement: Lenient grazing	Existing CS (GS17)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£28 per ha	Throughout the growing season, grassland is lightly grazed with cattle, or both cattle and sheep, so there is a range of shorter and taller grasses
Supplement: Shepherding	Updated CS (SP5)	5 years	£10 per ha	Shepherding or herding activities are undertaken to manage overgrazing and improve the quality of vegetation
Supplement: Cattle grazing	Updated CS (SP6)	5 years	£59 per ha	Cattle are grazed throughout the year to provide a varied sward structure and control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
Supplement: Introduction of cattle grazing on the Isles of Scilly	Existing CS (SP7)	5 years	£279 per ha	Cattle grazing is introduced on land on the Isles of Scilly that is not currently grazed by cattle
Supplement: Difficult sites	Existing CS (SP1)	5 years	£93 per ha	Locally characteristic boundaries are kept and, where required, grazing is reintroduced

Scrub and open habitat mosaics

Scrub and open habitat mosaics covers the creation and management of a mix of woody and open semi-natural habitats.

The actions for scrub and open habitat mosaics can:

• increase biodiversity, by providing food and habitats for birds and mammals and pollen and nectar sources for beneficial insects
• reduce soil erosion
• provide a transition between habitats, if located next to other semi-natural habitats or existing woodland areas

We are improving the existing offer by:

• developing simple widely accessible creation and management actions without the need for advice and bespoke actions to deliver additional outcomes through restoring natural processes
• increasing payment rates so it is more attractive to farmers

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example for fencing or tree planting. In addition, we are looking to introduce new capital items for large tree cages to protect trees from damage caused by grazing animals and wild animals, allowing the development of scrub and tree patches across the landscape.

Table 7: Actions for scrub and open habitat mosaics

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Create scrub and open habitat mosaics	Updated CS (WD8)	5  years	£588 per ha	Create a mosaic of scrub and open semi-natural habitats with varying densities, heights, widths, shapes and species
Manage scrub and open habitat mosaics	Updated CS (WD7)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£350 per ha	Manage a mosaic of scrub and open semi-natural habitats with varying densities, heights, widths, shapes and species

Organic farming

Organic farming covers land registered as ‘fully organic’ or ‘in conversion’ by a Defra-licensed organic control body.

We will continue to pay for the existing actions available in SFI and CS.

As well as the actions in this section, actions in other sections of this information can also be done on this land. This includes the actions currently in SFI, which have been designed to work for organic farmers.

Table 8a to e: Actions for organic farming

8a: Actions to convert permanent grassland to organic management

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Organic conversion – improved permanent grassland	Existing CS (OR1)	Up to 2 years	£187 per ha	Improved and semi-improved permanent grassland (including arable land being reverted to permanent grassland) is converted from conventional management to organic management
Organic conversion – unimproved permanent grassland	Existing CS (OR2)	Up to 2 years	£96 per ha	Unimproved permanent grassland is converted from conventional management to organic management

8b: Actions to convert arable and horticultural land to organic management

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Organic conversion – rotational land	Existing CS (OR3)	Up to 2 years	£298 per ha	Rotational land is converted from conventional management to organic management
Organic conversion – horticulture	Existing CS (OR4)	Up to 2 years	£874 per ha	Horticultural land used to produce vegetables or salad crops is converted from conventional management to organic management
Organic conversion – top fruit	Existing CS (OR5)	Up to 3 years	£1,920 per ha	Orchards which produce top fruit and permanent bush crops are converted from conventional management to organic management

8c: Actions to manage ‘fully organic’ permanent grassland

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Organic land management – improved permanent grassland	Existing CS (OT1)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£20 per ha	Improved and semi-improved grassland (including arable land being reverted to permanent grassland) is maintained under organic management
Organic land management – unimproved permanent grassland	Existing CS (OT2)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£41 per ha	Unimproved grassland is maintained under organic management
Organic land management – enclosed rough grazing	Existing CS (OT6)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£97 per ha	Enclosed rough grazing is maintained under organic management

8d: Actions to manage ‘fully organic’ arable and horticultural land

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Organic land management – rotational land	Existing CS (OT3)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£132 per ha	Rotational land is maintained under organic management
Organic land management – horticulture	Existing CS (OT4)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£707 per ha	Horticultural land is maintained under organic management
Organic land management – top fruit	Existing CS (OT5)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£1,920 per ha	Orchards which produce top fruit and permanent bush crops are maintained under organic management

8e: Actions for soils and farmland wildlife on ‘fully organic’ arable and horticultural land

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Overwintered stubble (organic land)	Existing CS (OP1)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£264 per ha	After harvest, stubble is left over the autumn and winter months, with a green overwinter cover crop within some of the stubble
Wild bird seed mixture (organic land)	Existing CS (OP2)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£787 per ha	There are winter bird food areas that produce a supply of small seeds for smaller farmland birds from late autumn until late winter
Supplementary feeding for farmland birds (organic land)	Existing CS (OP3)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£935 per tonne for every 2ha	To supplement winter bird food crops, additional seed is scattered to give seed-eating farmland birds food through the late winter period
Multi species ley (organic land)	Existing CS (OP4)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£117 per ha	There is a multi-species ley which produces flowering plants during the summer months
Undersown cereal (organic land)	Existing CS (OP5)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£380 per ha	There is a cereal crop under sown with a grass or flower-rich legume ley

Species recovery and management

Species recovery and management covers actions to increase the abundance of particular species, including by managing other species (invasive non-natives and predators) that present a threat, and supporting rare native breeds.

This can:

• increase biodiversity, by protecting priority species and habitats and supporting the recovery of threatened species
• maintain and increase the number of rare native breeds grazing on farms

We are improving the existing offer by:

• introducing new actions to control and manage predators of threatened species
• making the actions to control and manage invasive non-native animals more accessible by expanding eligibility for the deer and grey squirrel actions and introducing new actions
• updating the payment rates to control and manage invasive plant species to better reflect the actions required
• creating a rhododendron control supplement building upon capital items already available
• expanding the threatened species supplement to cover woodland species
• updating the native breeds at risk supplement to make it more accessible, better suited to different types of land, and update the eligible breeds

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to control rhododendron and purchase equipment to support the management of deer and grey squirrels. In addition, we are looking to introduce new capital items to support the management of American mink and edible dormouse, as well as amending existing capital items to support the control of invasive non-native plant species.

Table 9a and b: Actions for species recovery and management

9a: Actions for species recovery

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Supplement: Threatened species	Updated CS (SP9)	5 years	£204 per ha	Habitats for priority species are created and maintained, so that these species can flourish, and their population increases
Supplement: Grazing land using native breeds at risk (grassland)	Updated CS (SP8)	Same as base action	£92 or £146 per ha dependent on grazing livestock units	Grazing is increased with vary rates of rare breeds of livestock which are included in the native breed support list and categorised as either vulnerable, endangered or critical on sensitive grazing habitats
Supplement: Grazing land using native breeds at risk (lowland heath and moorland)	Updated CS (SP8)	Same as base action	£7 or £11 per ha dependent on grazing livestock units	Grazing is increased with vary rates of rare breeds of livestock which are included in the native breed support list and categorised as either vulnerable, endangered or critical on sensitive grazing habitats

9b: Actions for species management

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Invasive plant species control and management	Updated CS (SP4)	5 years	£140, £230 or £380 dependent on target species	Invasive non-native plant species which are harmful to the environment are controlled
Deer control and management	Updated CS (WS1)	10 years	£105 per ha	Control native or non-native deer where they are having a negative impact on priority species and habitats such as native woodlands
Grey squirrel control and management	Updated CS (WS3)	10 years	£60 per ha	Control the population of invasive non-native grey squirrels where they are causing significant damage to woodlands and trees and have a negative impact on our native wildlife, in particular red squirrels.
Mink control and management	New	10 years	£99 per 100m	Control the population of invasive non-native American mink where there is evidence, of predation of a species such as ground nesting birds, domestic wildfowl, amphibians and fish
Edible dormouse control and management	New	10 years	£40 per ha	Control the population of invasive edible dormice that cause damage to trees and orchards by stripping bark, compete with hole-nesting birds for nest sites, and prey on eggs and nesting birds.
Supplement: Bracken control	Existing CS (SP3)	Same as base action	£232 per ha	Control the spread of existing dense stands of bracken, or the stands are removed, to allow underlying vegetation to develop and spread
Supplement: Rhododendron control and management	New	5 years	£256 per ha	Rhododendron is controlled by removing it or stopping it from spreading or re-establishing

Moorland and upland peat

Moorland covers permanent grassland and certain non-agricultural features, such as scrub, scree, bracken and bog, which are located above the moorland line. As well as the actions in this section, actions in other sections of this information can also be done on moorland.

The actions for moorland and upland peat can:

• store carbon
• increase biodiversity, by providing a rich and varied mosaic of wildlife habitat of high conservation value
• reduce flood risk
• increase resilience to drought and wildfires
• protect heritage assets and landscape character
• deliver benefits for public health and wellbeing

We are improving the existing offer by:

• ensuring payments more accurately reflect costs incurred by moorland farmers though the introduction of stepped payment rates for grazing actions
• making it more flexible

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to support the restoration and management of upland peat and natural flood management. In addition, we are looking to introduce new capital items for wildfire management and for people to map their moorlands identifying sensitive habitats and features thereby allowing people to better plan their grazing and restoration works.

Table 10: Actions for moorland and upland peat

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Assess moorland and produce a written record	Existing SFI (MOR1)	3 years	£10.60 per ha and £272 per agreement	You understand how your moorland contributes to providing environmental benefits and how it could provide more in the future
Low grazing on moorland	New	3 years	£20-£66 per ha dependent on stocking density	Moorland is grazed with a low livestock density to support and enhance moorland habitat alongside farming
Supplement: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland	New	3 years	£7-£23 per ha dependent on stocking	When you graze moorland with a low livestock density, you do so with a proportion of cattle or ponies or horses
Manage livestock grazing on moorland	New	3 years	£33-50 per ha depending on stocking dates	Livestock grazing on moorland is managed to avoid impacting habitats which are sensitive to damage from grazing, wherever possible
General moorland management	Updated CS (UP3)	5 years	£55 per ha	You follow best practice guidelines for moorlands – this is a base action for certain supplements
Supplement: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience	New	10 years	£160 per ha	Activities are carried out to slow the flow of surface runoff from rainfall events and enable more water to be retained in the catchment
Supplement: Rewetting peat	Updated CS (SP2)	Same as base action	£181 per ha	Peat is rewetted or existing peat is kept wet
Supplement: Maintain features for wildfire management (fire and fuel breaks)	New	TBC	TBC	Fire and fuel breaks are maintained to disrupt the movement of wildfires across habitats
Supplement: Administration of group managed agreements	Existing CS (SP10)	Same as agreement duration	£7 per ha	There are well-administered group agreements for common land or shared grazing with 2 or more legal interests

Lowland peat

Lowland peat covers peat soils below the moorland line.

The actions for lowland peat soils can:

• store carbon
• increase biodiversity, by providing food and habitat for rare and endangered plants and wildlife with unique biodiversity
• protect heritage assets and landscape character

We are improving the existing offer by:

• increasing the payments to better reflect costs
• making the existing actions more achievable
• introducing new actions for raising water levels to a lower depth below the field surface

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to restore ditches, dykes, and rhynes. In addition, we are looking to introduce new capital items for major preparatory works and water penning structures.

Table 11: Actions for lowland peat

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Raise water levels in cropped or arable peat soils to near the land surface	Updated CS (SW17)	10 years	£1,409 per ha	The water level on cropped or arable land with lowland peat soils is raised to between 10 to 30cm below the field surface and maintained throughout the year
Raise water levels in cropped or arable peat soils	New	10 years	£892 per ha	The water level on cropped or arable land with lowland peat soils is raised to between 31 to 50cm below the field surface and maintained throughout the year
Raise water levels in permanent grassland peat soils to near the land surface	Updated CS (SW18)	10 years	£1,381 per ha	The water level on permanent grassland peat soils is raised to between 10 to 30cm below the field surface and maintained throughout the year
Raise water levels in permanent grassland peat soils	New	10 years	£840 per ha	The water level on permanent grassland peat soils is raised to between 31 to 50cm below the field surface and maintained throughout the year

Trees and woodland

These actions cover managing woodland and forestry, so it is healthy, productive and resilient.

Other actions relating to trees can be found in other sections, including grassland habitats, arable land, wood pasture, orchards, species recovery, access and agroforestry. There is also funding available for:

• woodland creation through the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and Woodland Creation Partnership Grants in the Nature for Climate Fund
• tree health through CS capital grants and the tree health pilot

We plan to bring these together into a single offer at a future point.

The actions for trees and woodland can:

• increase biodiversity, by providing food and habitat for wildlife, such as red squirrels
• improve air and water quality
• reduce flood risk
• store carbon
• improve their resilience to better withstand threats and adapt
• protect heritage assets and landscape character
• engage people on how forestry links to its landscape and timber production
• support timber security and the rural economy through increased productivity

We are improving the existing woodland management offer within CS by:

• extending eligibility by reducing the threshold for woodland management from 3ha to 0.5ha, including expansion of the underpinning woodland management plan eligibility
• ensuring payments cover more of the costs incurred by woodland managers
• making it simpler and more flexible

Existing capital items will continue to be available. A Forestry Commission approved Woodland Management Plan will be required for the actions to manage and restore woodland. In addition, we are looking to introduce new capital items for wildfire management, restocking, coppicing and ride creation to support the delivery of our new and amended offers.

Table 12a and b: Actions for woodland and trees

12a: Actions to maintain woodland creation

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Woodland creation maintenance	Existing CS (WD1)	15 years	£350 per ha	Woodland created under a Woodland Creation Grant agreement is maintained

12b: Actions to manage and restore woodland

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Woodland improvement	Updated CS (WD2)	10 years	£127 per ha	Woodland is brought into sustainable management in line with the UK Forestry Standard
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: Manage and restore Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS)	Updated CS (WS2)	10 years	£275 per ha	Restore and manage plantations on ancient woodland
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: Manage native woodland including ancient semi-natural woodlands (ASNW)	New	10 years	£144 per ha	Support the management of native woodland and ancient and semi-natural woodlands
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: Improve woodland resilience	New	10 years	£202 per ha	The mixture of tree species, age and structural diversity in woodlands is increased through changes to management activities
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: Manage woodlands for flood and drought mitigation	New	10 years	£56 per ha	Woodland is managed to retain water onsite through enhanced soil infiltration and within water features
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: Manage historic features in woodlands	New	10 years	£943 per ha	Historic features within woodlands are managed, especially scheduled monuments
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: 2-zone rides	New	10 years	£60 per ha	2-zone rides within woodlands are managed to maintain a diverse ride structure and provide habitat corridors for wildlife
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: 3-zone rides	New	10 years	£197 per ha	3-zone rides within woodlands are managed to maintain a diverse ride structure and provide habitat corridors for wildlife
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: Maintain features for wildfire management (fire and fuel breaks)	New	TBC	TBC	Fire and fuel breaks are maintained to disrupt the movement of wildfires across habitats
Supplement to Woodland improvement action: Maintain features for wildfire management (fire belts)	New	TBC	TBC	Fire belts are maintained to disrupt the movement of wildfires across habitats
Veteran tree surgery	Existing CS (BE6)	5 years	£488 per tree	Specialist tree surgery is carried out to extend the lifespan of veteran trees

Wood pasture

Wood pasture and historic parkland include a variety of open areas, scrub and trees.

The actions for wood pasture can:

• increase biodiversity, by providing habitats that offer food and shelter for wildlife, including invertebrates and birds
• provide grazing for traditional breed cattle
• protect heritage assets and landscape character

We are improving the offer by:

• combining the actions for lowland and upland wood pasture, having aligned the payment rates for lowland and upland this year
• making the actions simpler and more flexible

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to plant and protect trees.

Table 13: Actions for wood pasture and parkland

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Create wood pasture	Updated CS (WD6 and WD12)	10 years	£544 per ha	Wood pasture is created
Restore wood pasture and parkland	Updated CS (WD5 and WD11)	10 years	£371 per ha	Existing wood pasture and parkland is restored on sites that support mature and veteran trees and designed parkland features, such as tree avenues
Manage wood pasture and parkland	Updated CS (WD4 and WD10)	5 years	£212 per ha	Existing wood pasture and parkland is managed on sites that support mature and veteran trees and designed parkland features, such as tree avenues

Orchards

Traditional orchards include apple, pear, cherry, plum, damson, cobnut and walnut.

The actions for orchards can:

• increase biodiversity, by providing habitat for invertebrates, birds and wildflowers
• increase species diversity

We are improving the existing offer by:

• expanding eligibility for management to orchards where at least one third of the original plantings are occupied by trees over 10 years old (rather than 25 years old)
• expanding eligibility for creation to any land which connects to an existing treescape
• making the actions less complex, more flexible and easier to understand

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to plant and protect trees.

Table 14: Actions for orchards

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Create traditional orchards	Updated CS (BE5)	10 years	£471 per ha	A traditional orchard is created with healthy young trees and any existing mature trees are managed
Manage traditional orchards	Updated CS (BE4)	5 years	£264 per ha	Traditional orchard trees are managed to provide a range of young and mature fruit trees
Supplement: Restorative pruning of fruit trees	Existing CS (BE7)	3 years	£146 per tree	There are restored mature fruit trees with undisturbed standing and fallen deadwood to provide a habitat for a wide range of invertebrates

Agroforestry

Agroforestry is tree planting that is deliberately combined with agriculture on the same land.

It can:

• reduce soil erosion
• improve water and air quality
• provide shelter for livestock and crops
• reduce flood risk
• increase biodiversity
• store carbon

We are introducing new actions for the creation and maintenance of in field agroforestry systems. The actions have been designed to cover a wider range of farmers and land types.

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to protect trees using fencing, individual tree shelters and tree guards. In addition, we are looking to introduce new capital items to plan your in-field agroforestry system and plant in-field agroforestry trees.

Table 15a to c: Actions for agroforestry

15a: Actions to maintain high or medium density in-field agroforestry

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Maintain high density in-field agroforestry	New	10 years	£849 per ha	An in-field agroforestry system is maintained, so there’s a combination of either trees and arable or horticultural crops, or trees and grassland for forage and livestock
Maintain medium density in-field agroforestry	New	10 years	£595 per ha	An in-field agroforestry system is maintained, so there’s a combination of either trees and arable or horticultural crops, or trees and grassland for forage and livestock

15b: Actions to maintain low density in-field agroforestry

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Maintain low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land	New	3 years	£385 per ha	An in-field agroforestry system is maintained, so there’s a combination of either trees and arable or horticultural crops, or trees and grassland for forage and livestock
Maintain low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land	New	10 years	£385 per ha	An in-field agroforestry system is maintained, so there’s a combination of either trees and arable or horticultural crops, or trees and grassland for forage and livestock

15c: Actions to maintain very low density in-field agroforestry

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Maintain very low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land	New	3 years	£248 per ha	An in-field agroforestry system is maintained, so there’s a combination of either trees and arable or horticultural crops, or trees and grassland for forage and livestock
Maintain very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land	New	10 years	£248 per ha	An in-field agroforestry system is maintained, so there’s a combination of either trees and arable or horticultural crops, or trees and grassland for forage and livestock

Boundaries

Boundaries include hedgerows, dry stone walls, earth banks and stone faced hedgebanks. Ditches are covered in the section on waterbodies.

The actions for boundaries can:

• improve biodiversity, by providing food and habitat for plants and wildlife including lichens, mosses and ferns
• protect heritage assets and landscape character
• help with livestock management

We are improving the existing offer by introducing new actions for maintaining additional types of boundary features beyond the existing actions for hedgerows. These are:

• dry stone walls
• earth banks
• stone faced hedgebanks

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to support the creation and restoration of earth banks, dry stone walls and stone faced hedgebanks. In addition to the current capital item for restoring drystone walls, we are looking to introduce a new capital item for repairing stone walls.

Table 16a and b: Actions for boundaries

16a: Actions for hedgerows

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Assess and record hedgerow condition	Existing SFI (HRW1)	3 years	£5 per 100m -one side	You understand the condition of your hedgerows and effectively plan how they can be managed to improve their condition
Manage hedgerows	Existing SFI (HRW2)	3 years	£13 per 100m -one side	Hedgerows are managed so there is a range of different heights and widths
Maintain or establish hedgerow trees	Existing SFI (HRW3)	3 years	£10 per 100m - both sides	Hedgerow trees are maintained or established

16b: Actions for dry stone walls, earth banks and stone-faced hedgebanks

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Maintain dry stone walls	New	3 years	£27 per 100m – both sides	Dry stone walls are maintained to keep them in good condition
Maintain earth banks	New	3 years	£11 per 100m – one side	Earth banks are maintained to keep them in good condition
Maintain stone-faced hedgebanks	New	3 years	£11 per 100m – one side	Stone-faced hedge banks are maintained to keep them in good condition

Waterbodies

Waterbodies include surface and groundwater, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and ditches.

The actions for waterbodies can:

• provide fresh water for people, industry, farming and wildlife
• increase biodiversity, providing some of England’s most biodiverse habitats, including sensitive and globally rare habitats, like chalk-streams
• store water for drought resilience
• reduce flood risk

We are improving the existing offer by:

• updating existing actions and introducing new actions to slow the flow of water and store flood water
• introducing new actions to restore rivers and floodplains for biodiversity and water quality
• introducing a new action to pay for managing lakes for the first time
• introducing new actions for managing ponds and ditches not currently eligible under CS
• introducing a new action for managing riparian habitats

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to support the creation and restoration of lakes and ponds and for swales and sediment traps, protecting streams and rivers from pollutants. In addition, we are looking to introduce new capital items for the erecting of appropriate signage next to waterbodies and to create temporary water storage features.

Table 17a to d: Actions for waterbodies

17a: Actions for surface and groundwater

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Manage grassland for flood and drought resilience and water quality	New	10 years	£938 per ha	Grassland is managed to reduce runoff from rainwater, and store more surface and groundwater through changes such as creating topographical features that will retain water after periods of high rainfall
Manage features on arable land for flood and drought resilience and water quality	New	5 years	£1,241 per ha	Features on arable land, such as sediment traps, bunds, swales and the area surrounding them, are managed to reduce runoff from rainwater and store more surface and groundwater
In-field grass strips	Existing CS (SW3)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£765 per ha	There are in-field grass strips or areas, which are managed to encourage a dense sward and a variety of grasses to grow
Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input	Existing CS (SW7)	5 years	£489 per ha	There is a dense, diverse grass sward throughout the year, with low fertiliser inputs
Manage intensive grassland adjacent to a watercourse	Existing CS (SW8)	5 years	£311 per ha	There is a dense, diverse grass sward throughout the year next to a watercourse
Seasonal livestock removal on intensive grassland	Existing CS (SW9)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£115 per ha	Livestock is removed from the grassland during the autumn and winter months
Seasonal livestock removal on grassland in SDAs next to streams, rivers and lakes	Existing CS (SW10)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£115 per ha	Livestock is removed from SDA grassland next to streams, rivers and lakes during the autumn and winter months
Very low nitrogen inputs to groundwaters	Existing CS (SW13)	5 years	£396 per ha	There is an intact grass sward throughout the year, with reduced nutrient inputs applied
Supplement: Nil fertiliser	Existing CS (SW14)	5 years	£156 per ha	Fertilisers and manures are not applied

17b: Actions for rivers, streams and floodplains

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Flood mitigation on arable reversion to grassland	Updated CS (SW15)	5 years	£740 per ha	There is dense grass sward connected to a watercourse to store water from streams and rivers during flood events, and allow flood water to spread across a floodplain and naturally subside
Flood mitigation on permanent grassland	Updated CS (SW16)	5 years	£330 per ha	There is a dense grass sward to store water from streams and rivers during flood events, and allow flood water to spread across a floodplain and naturally subside
Supplement: Enhanced floodplain storage	New	Same as base action	£366 per ha	Floodwater storage within floodplains is increased so that they hold more water for longer by managing features such as swales (channels) and temporary ponds or depressions
Connect river and floodplain habitats	New	10 years	£1,242 per ha	River habitats are restored to create a mosaic of wetland habitats to connect the river and floodplain
Make room for the river to move	Updated CS (SW12)	20 years	£1,489 per ha	New and changing areas of river and wet floodplain habitats are restored and created, with water allowed to flood seasonally from and drain back into the river, so the risk of downstream flooding is reduced
Manage riparian and water edge habitats	New	10 years	£1,186 per ha	There is a 12-24m wide area of water-dependent habitat between the land and the water’s edge of rivers and streams (riparian habitats) and lakes and ponds

17c: Actions for ponds and lakes

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Simple pond management	New	3 years	Up to £257 per pond	Small ponds (or other similar bodies of water) are managed to help maintain or improve the water quality
Manage lakes and bodies of water greater than 2ha	New	10 years	£109-£135 per ha	Lakes or other bodies of water larger than 2ha are managed, so they are in a good condition by the end of the 10-year period
Manage ponds and bodies of water up to 2ha	Updated CS (WT4 and WT5)	5 years	£424 per pond	Permanent or temporary ponds or other bodies of water up to 2ha that have a high wildlife or historic value are managed

17d: Actions for ditches

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Simple ditch management	New	3 years	£4 per 100m – both sides	Ditches are managed so there is varied bank-side and aquatic vegetation, and wildlife habitat
Manage ditches of high environmental value	Updated CS (WT3)	5 years	£38 per 100m – both sides	Ditches are managed that either support target species of plants, birds, mammals and invertebrates or are important for delivering habitats such as wet grassland, wetland, lowland peat and floodplain meadow

Buffer or habitat strips next to waterbodies and features

These actions are focused on buffer or habitat strips on land next to waterbodies, water courses and other features.  

They can:

• improve water quality
• improve drought resilience
• reduce flood risk
• increase biodiversity

We are improving the existing offer by:

• introducing a new action for 3D buffer strips next to waterbodies
• expanding the existing action for managing habitat strips next to waterbodies to cover arable land as well as grassland and updating it to deliver improved habitat
• introducing a new action for managing a wider area of habitat next to lakes, ponds, rivers and streams

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to build swales to help reduce runoff and risk of soil erosion and water pollution. In addition, we are looking to introduce new capital items for temporary water storage features to slow the flow of water through the landscape and allow sediment and nutrients to settle out.

Table 18a and b: Actions for buffer or habitat strips next to waterbodies and features

18a: Actions for buffer strips

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
6m to 24m 3-dimensional (3D) waterbody buffer strip	New	5 years	£1,182 per ha	There is a 6m to 24m wide buffer with raised ridges covered in vegetation next to a waterbody or field boundary
12m to 24m watercourse buffer strip on cultivated land	Existing CS (SW4)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£707 per ha	There is a grass buffer, with an intact sward which is managed to provide some shorter vegetation next to the crop
4m to 12m grass buffer strip on arable and horticultural land	Existing SFI (AHL4)	3 years	£515 per ha	There is a grass buffer strip with an intact grass sward throughout the year, without tracks, compacted areas or poaching
4m to 12m grass buffer strip on improved grassland	Existing SFI (IGL3)	3 years	£235 per ha	There is a grass buffer strip with an intact grass sward throughout the year, without tracks, compacted areas or poaching
Buffer in-field ponds and ditches on arable land	Existing CS (WT2)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£681 per ha	There is a wide grass buffer strip surrounding a pond or next to a ditch, which is left to develop a mix of tussocky grasses, flowering plants and low scrub
Buffer in-field ponds and ditches on improved grassland	Existing CS (WT1)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£311 per ha	There is a wide grass buffer strip surrounding a pond or next to a ditch, which is left to develop a mix of tussocky grasses, flowering plants and low scrub
Protection of in-field trees on arable land	Existing CS (BE1)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£553 per ha	There is a naturally regenerated grass buffer throughout the year around in-field trees on arable land, with the trees protected from damage by livestock and wild animals
Protection of in-field trees on intensive grassland	Existing CS (BE2)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£295 per ha	There is a naturally regenerated grass buffer throughout the year around in-field trees on intensive grassland, with the trees protected from damage by livestock and wild animals

18b: Actions for habitat strips

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Habitat strip next to waterbodies	Updated CS (SW11)	5 years	£742 per ha	There is a 6m to 12m wide habitat strip next to a waterbody, with a mosaic of tussocky grasses and naturally colonised or planted tree and scrub with an open canopy

Wetland habitats

Wetland habitats include reedbeds, fen and mosaics of wetland habitat, including mires and flushes. Lowland raised bog is covered in the lowland peat section.

The actions for wetland habitats can:

• increase biodiversity
• store carbon
• reduce flood risk
• improve water quality

We are improving the existing offer by:

• simplifying it by combining fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics into two actions, one for managing or restoring the habitat and one for creating it
• increasing the payments to better reflect the costs
• expanding eligibility to include wetland creation on other grassland habitats, management of a wider range of wetland habitats, and re-wetting of a wider range of habitats
• making the actions more flexible, including to allow more diverse wetlands on each parcel
• expanding eligibility for the supplement for wetting up land to a wider range of habitats

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to control scrub and install fencing.

Table 19a and b: Actions for wetland habitats

19a: Actions for lowland raised bog

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Manage lowland raised bog	Existing CS (WT10)	5 years	£215 per ha	Priority lowland raised bog habitat is managed so it is kept wet enough for peat to form, with characteristic bog vegetation and reduced cover of invasive bracken, scrub or non-native species

19b: Actions for reedbed, fen or wetland mosaics

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Create reedbed, fen or wetland mosaics	Updated CS (WT7 and WT9)	10 years	£1,605 per ha	New reedbed, fen or wetland habitat mosaic (including areas of reedbed, fen, mires and flushes) is created on land that currently has lower wildlife value
Manage and restore reedbed, fen and wetland mosaics	Updated CS (WT6 and WT8)	10 years	£920 per ha	Reedbed, fen or wetland mosaic habitat (including areas of reedbed, fen, mires and flushes) is restored and managed
Supplement: Rewetting	Updated CS (SP2)	Same as base action	£181 per ha	Land is rewetted or existing land is kept wet
Supplement: Wetland cutting	Existing CS (WT11)	Same as base action	£1,346 per ha	Wetland habitats are managed by appropriate cutting
Supplement: Wetland grazing	Existing CS (WT12)	Same as base action	£566 per ha	Wetland habitats are managed by appropriate grazing

Coastal habitats

Coastal habitats are located on open coasts or within estuaries. The location will influence the type of habitat, vegetation and species present.

The actions for coastal habitats can:

• increase biodiversity, providing habitat for internationally important wintering, breeding and passage birds, as well as other species such as lichens, fungi and invertebrates
• reduce flood risk
• store carbon

We are improving the existing offer by:

• introducing a new action to manage and restore maritime cliffs and slopes
• introducing a new widely accessible action for reducing grazing on coastal saltmarsh
• splitting the existing CS action CT1 into separate actions for managing and restoring sand dunes and vegetated shingle to make it clearer which action to do and simplify the actions
• simplifying and updating payment rates for making space for new coastal habitat.
• expanding eligibility for creating intertidal and saline habitat
• expanding eligibility for the coastal vegetation supplement so it can be used with all coastal habitat actions

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to plan and undertake major works to support priority habitats. In addition, we are scoping the viability to introduce a new capital item for fenceless grazing.

Table 20a to f: Actions for coastal habitats

20a: Actions to create and manage new coastal habitat and vegetation

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Make space for new coastal habitat	Updated CS (CT2)	20 years	£773 per ha	Natural coastal processes are restored to create and maintain long-term coastal habitat on land next to existing priority coastal habitat (including sand dunes, vegetated shingle and maritime cliffs and slopes)
Supplement: Manage coastal vegetation	Updated CS (CT6)	5 years	£123 per ha	Vegetation is managed by grazing or cutting to create a more varied vegetation structure on coastal saltmarsh, coastal sand dunes, coastal vegetated shingle, maritime cliffs and slopes, and transitional coastal habitats that allow natural movement of sediment

20b: Actions for maritime cliffs and slopes

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Manage and restore maritime cliffs and slopes	New	5 years	£791 per ha	Maritime cliff and slope habitat is restored and kept in good condition through appropriate management and allowing natural processes to function

20c: Actions for coastal sand dunes

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Manage and restore coastal sand dunes	Updated CS (CT1)	5 years	£620 per ha	Coastal sand dune priority habitat is restored and kept in healthy and dynamic condition by allowing natural processes to function

20d: Actions for coastal vegetated shingle

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Manage and restore coastal vegetated shingle	Updated CS (CT1)	5 years	£583 per ha	Coastal vegetated shingle habitat is restored and kept in a good condition by allowing natural coastal processes to function

20e: Actions for coastal saltmarsh

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Manage coastal saltmarsh	New	5 years	£483 per ha	Coastal saltmarsh is maintained in good condition and saltmarsh which is in unfavourable condition is restored
Manage coastal saltmarsh (bespoke)	Updated CS (CT3)	5 years	£724 per ha	Coastal saltmarsh is maintained in good condition and saltmarsh which is in unfavourable condition is restored through vegetation management

20f: Actions for intertidal and saline habitat

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Create intertidal and saline habitat on arable land	Updated CS (CT4)	20 years	£812 per ha	Intertidal and saline habitats and small-scale saline lagoons are created on arable land, including the transition area between saltmarsh and neighbouring habitats
Create intertidal and saline habitat on intensive grassland	Updated CS (CT7)	20 years	£494 per ha	Intertidal and saline habitats and small-scale saline lagoons are created on intensive grassland, including the transition area between saltmarsh and neighbouring habitats
Create intertidal and saline habitat by non-intervention	Updated CS (CT5)	20 years	£494 per ha	Intertidal and saline habitats and small-scale saline lagoons are naturally created following the unmanaged breach or overtopping of flood defences, such as sea walls or embankments

Lowland heathland

Lowland heathland is heathland from sea-level up to around 300 metres, usually characterised by heather, gorse or grass. It includes wet or dry heath, transitional heaths, acidic mires and coastal heaths.

The actions for lowland heathland can:

• increase biodiversity, by providing food and habitat for wildlife, including rarer invertebrates, birds, reptiles and plants
• improve water quality
• store carbon

We are improving the existing offer by:

• expanding eligibility for creating lowland heathland to a wider range of grassland types
• making the actions clearer and more consistent

Existing capital items will continue to be available.

Table 22: Actions for lowland heathland

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Manage lowland heathland	Updated CS (LH1)	10 years	£412 per ha	Existing lowland heathland is managed, so there is a diverse mosaic of vegetation, including undisturbed bare ground and varied vegetation and scattered trees of different ages
Restore lowland heathland	Updated CS (LH2)	10 years	£311 per ha	Lowland heathland is restored on forested land or woodland so there is a diverse mosaic of vegetation, including undisturbed bare ground and varied vegetation and scattered trees of different ages
Create lowland heathland	Updated CS (LH3)	10 years	£711 per ha	Lowland heathland is created on arable or grassland sites resulting in a diverse mosaic of vegetation, including undisturbed bare ground and varied vegetation and scattered trees of different ages
Supplement: Maintain features for wildfire management (fire and fuel breaks)	New	TBC	TBC	Fire and fuel breaks are maintained to disrupt the movement of wildfires across habitats

Access and engagement

This covers payments for providing access to our countryside, farmland or woodland.

Increased access and engagement can:

• deliver benefits for public health and wellbeing
• engage people on how farming and forestry links to its landscape and food production

We are improving the existing offer by:

• introducing a new action to pay for permissive access
• expanding eligibility for educational access to a wider range of groups and to woodland
• creating a unified access offer across farmland and woodland

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to provide maps and way markers, or fencing for new permissive access and for example, hand washing or toilet facilities for Educational Access. In addition, we will also be looking to manage access pressures with our Access capital offer.

Table 22a and b: Actions for access and engagement

22a: Actions for educational access

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Educational access	Updated CS (ED1)	5 years	£363 per visit	An educational tour of your holding or woodland is provided to groups, to increase their understanding of farming, forestry, food production, wildlife and the landscape

22b: Actions for permissive access

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Open access	New	5 years	£92 per ha	Provide and maintain permissive open access to the public on areas of land
Footpath access	New	5 years	£77 per 100m	Provide and maintain new permissive footpaths to the public
Bridleway or cycle path access	New	5 years	£158 per 100m	Provide and maintain new permissive bridleways or cycles paths
Access for people with reduced mobility	New	5 years	£221 per 100m	Provide and maintain new permissive access for people with reduced mobility
Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way for cyclists and horse riders	New	5 years	£158 per 100m	Provide and maintain access alongside existing rights of way for cyclists and horse riders
Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way for people with reduced mobility	New	5 years	£221 per 100m	Provide and maintain access alongside existing rights of way for people with reduced mobility

Heritage

Heritage features include historic landscapes, archaeological sites and historic buildings and structures.

Protecting and enhancing heritage features can:

• protect heritage assets and landscape character
• provide opportunities for access, recreation and engagement
• increase biodiversity, by providing habitats for wildlife
• reduce flood risk

We will continue to pay for the existing actions available in CS.

Existing capital items will continue to be available, for example to conserve, restore or protect historical and archaeological features.

Table 23a to c: Actions for heritage

23a: Actions to protect traditional farm or forestry buildings

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Maintain weatherproof traditional farm or forestry buildings	Existing CS (HS1)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£5 per square m	Traditional farm or forestry buildings are maintained to enhance the local landscape and preserve places for wildlife
Maintain weatherproof traditional farm or forestry buildings in remote areas	Existing CS (HS8)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£8 per square m	Traditional farm or forestry buildings in remote areas are maintained to enhance the local landscape and preserve places for wildlife

23b: Actions to protect historic and archaeological features

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation	Existing CS (HS2)	5 years	£613 per ha	Throughout the year, there is a continuous grass or flower mixture growing over the historic and archaeological feature
Use reduced-depth, non-inversion cultivation on historic and archaeological features	Existing CS (HS3)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£115 per ha	Non-inversion (minimum tillage) machinery and shallower cultivation depths are used to reduce damage to historic and archaeological features
Control scrub on historic and archaeological features	Existing CS (HS4)	5 years	£215 per ha	There is a well-managed grass sward growing over the historic and archaeological feature throughout the year, with some scrub removed to reduce the risk of root damage
Manage historic and archaeological features on grassland	Existing CS (HS5)	5 years	£55 per ha	There is a well-managed grass sward or vegetation covering the historic and archaeological feature throughout the year
Restrict crop establishment depth to protect archaeology under an arable rotation	Existing CS (HS9)	3 to 5 years (3Y)	£257 per ha	Cultivation depth is reduced to avoid damage to historic and archaeological features on arable land

23c: Actions to protect historic water features

Action	Action type (action code)	Duration	Annual payment	Action’s aim
Maintain designed or engineered waterbodies	Existing CS (HS6)	5 years	£2,512 per ha	There is a permanently vegetated grass buffer strip to protect the banks and associated historic built water-control features of designed or engineered historic water bodies
Manage historic water meadows through traditional irrigation	Existing CS (HS7)	5 years	£863 per ha	There is a well-managed grass sward and a working water meadow system with structurally sound water control features