Guidance

Annex 4: Applying for the Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Packages

Published 29 June 2023

Applies to England

The Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Packages (WPFWP) are designed to support applicants applying for the Mid Tier.

For the Wildlife Offers read Section 5.

The WPFWP groups management options together. When used together in the packages, these options help you to provide farmland wildlife with the essential resources it needs to thrive and breed successfully.

You can use WPFWP to increase your application’s score. Applications with a higher score are more likely to be offered an agreement.

1. Benefits for Wildlife

The WPFWP helps you to support your local wildlife, including:

• wild pollinators -such as solitary bees and bumble bees
• farmland birds - such as grey partridge, skylark and yellowhammer
• other farm wildlife - such as rare arable plants, great crested newts, bats and brown hare.

2. How it works

There are 3 wildlife packages to choose from:

• arable
• mixed
• pastoral.

If you have a mixed farm, you do not have to apply for a mixed package. For example, you may apply for the arable package, excluding grassland, if the arable options are better suited to your farm.

Each package includes a range of management options. These options help you to provide essential resources for wildlife.

• Essential Resource 1: Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds.
• Essential Resource 2: Nesting, hibernation and shelter for insect pollinators and birds
• Essential Resource 3: Winter food for seed-eating birds.

You can choose as many of the options from the package as you want. Generally, choosing more options is better for farm wildlife, as you will provide a greater range of habitats and food/nesting resources. As with all Mid Tier, you must meet the management requirements for each of the options you choose.

You can choose to add any other appropriate Mid Tier options and capital items to your application with WPFWP.

Section 4.4.3 sets out the support that is available when choosing options.

The minimum requirements for the packages are as follows.

• Choose at least one option from each of the mandatory resource categories in your package.
• Meet the minimum hectare requirements for each of your chosen options (minimum metres for hedge options).
• Make sure that the area covered by the package options is at least 3% of the total area of farmed land included in your application.

The tables below set out the management options available in each package.

3. Scoring and WPFWP

As with any Mid Tier application, we will give every option in your application a basic score. As long as you meet the minimum requirements of the package, we will also give you a bonus points score. If any of the land parcels touch a ‘hot-spot’ for farmland birds and/or wild pollinators, we will give you an additional scoring bonus. You can find information about the location of hotspots in your local Statement of priorities.

If your application does not meet the minimum package requirement, we will not give you bonus points.

You can find all information on scoring in Annex 3.

4. Eligible land

The WPWFP can only be located on land declared with a land use of arable land, including temporary grassland, and permanent grassland. All other land uses are excluded from this package. Your declared land use must match the offer you choose. You must also meet the eligibility criteria for the Mid Tier – read Section 3.

5. Tools to help you decide how much land to include

Use the calculator to help you work out how much land to include in each option. You can also use the information in the tables below to make your calculations.

• Not all fields need to be included in your application for WPFWP, it can cover either the whole or part of your farm.
• You must meet the minimum requirements of your chosen package.
• You can choose to include more land than the minimum in your application. The maximum figures provided in the tables below are for guidance only. You can apply for more than the maximum but you will only receive the basic points for that option (but no extra package points).

6. Maximise the benefit for farmed wildlife

To increase the impact of the WPFWP package:

1. choose more options and spread the location of the options across the farm
2. select both legume and perennial flower-based mixes as these will provide nectar and pollen sources for a longer period of time over the summer and autumn
3. spread options delivering nectar and pollen across the farm, so that it benefits as many wild pollinators and birds as possible
4. choose the hedgerow management option. Well-managed hedgerows can provide valuable spring foraging for wild pollinators, as well as good nesting habitat for birds
5. create a mixture of habitats, from tussocky, uncut grass to areas of warm, dry, bare ground that remain undisturbed for the breeding cycle. These will provide wild pollinators and farmland birds places to nest and, shelter and overwinter/hibernation areas for pollinators
6. provide both annual and biennial wild bird seed mixes as they will benefit a broader range of farmland birds
7. place skylark plots over some/all of the area of winter cereal crops
8. stubble works best if the preceding crop is barley and spring- sown
9. consider selecting one or more additional options to focus on particular species or features.

7. How to build a Mid Tier Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package

1. Work out the area of land that is eligible and decide how much to include in your application.
2. Use the tables below to choose the package that is right for your farm. You can choose from arable, mixed or pastoral packages.
3. Make sure any Scheduled Monuments on your land are managed appropriately.
4. Use the tables below to choose your options. You must choose at least one option from each mandatory resource category. Generally choosing more options is better for farmed wildlife.
5. Choose how many hectares you want to enter into each option (how many metres for hedgerows).
6. Make sure you meet the minimum requirements of the package. To help with your calculations you can use the calculator. You can also use the information in the tables below to make your calculations.
7. Fill in your Mid Tier application form as set out in Section 4, adding in any other options and capital items that you wish to apply for.

8. Using the Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package tables

Read the guidance above to understand how the packages work. There is a table below for each of the packages - arable, pastoral and mixed farm.

The minimum and maximum amounts of each resource (for 100ha of eligible land) are given in the tables. You should adjust these on a ‘pro rata’ basis. For example, if you have 250 ha of eligible land, then multiply the quantities by 2.5.

8.1 Mid Tier package for arable farms

In total, the options you choose must cover at least 3% of the eligible land included in your application. You should apply the percentage calculation to the total area of arable land, temporary grassland and permanent grassland in the application.

8.2 Essential resources for wild pollinators and farmland birds

1. Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds

Select one or more of the following options from each essential resource (mandatory)	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
AB1 Nectar flower mix	1 ha in total	3 ha in total
AB8 Flower-rich margins and plots	1 ha in total	3 ha in total
AB15 Two-year sown legume fallow	1 ha in total	3 ha in total
AB16 Autumn sown bumblebird mix	1 ha in total	3 ha in total
AB11 Cultivated areas for arable plants (no more than 25% of the total resource area)	1 ha in total	3 ha in total

2. Winter food for seed-eating birds

You can choose to make-up your winter seed resources using just one of these options or a combination. Use the online calculators in your application form to help with the calculations.

Select one or more of the following options from each essential resource (mandatory)	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
AB9 Winter bird food (or OP2 Wild bird seed mixture)	2 ha	3 ha
AB6 Enhanced Overwinter Stubble	5 ha	7.5 ha
AB2 Basic overwinter stubble (or OP1 Overwintered stubble)	10 ha	15 ha

Additional resources

Hedgerows

Select one or more options as appropriate (optional):	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
BE3 Management of hedgerows	500 m	2000 m

In-field breeding habitats for skylarks in winter cereal-dominated landscapes

Select one or more options as appropriate (optional):	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
AB4 Skylark plots	2 per ha of winter wheat	2 per ha of winter wheat

Ponds and ditches

Select one or more options as appropriate (optional):	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
WT2 Buffering in-field ponds and ditches on arable land	as required	as required

8.3 Mid Tier package for pastoral farms

In total, the options you choose must cover at least 2.5% of the permanent and temporary grass included in your application. In addition, a minimum of 500m per 100ha of eligible land must be entered into option BE3 (management of hedgerows).

You must record the land use, for the year you are applying, as permanent or temporary grassland. You can include arable fields but only hedgerow options can be located on those fields.

8.4 Essential resources for wild pollinators and farmland birds

1. Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds

Select one or more of the following options from each essential resource (mandatory)	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
GS4 Legume and herb-rich swards (or OP4 Multi-species ley)	2 ha in total	4 ha in total
GS2 Permanent grassland with very low inputs (outside SDA)	2 ha in total	4 ha in total

2. Nesting, hibernation and sheltering habitat

Select one or more of the following options from each essential resource (mandatory)	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
GS1 Take field corners out of management (outside SDA)	0.5 ha	2 ha

3.Hedgerows

Select one or more of the following options from each essential resource (mandatory)	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
BE3 Management of hedgerows	500 m	2000 m

8.5 Additional resources

Variable grassland sward structure to provide insect-rich foraging for birds

Select one or more options as appropriate (optional):	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
GS17 Lenient grazing supplement	1 ha	4 ha

Winter food for seed-eating birds

Select one or more options as appropriate (optional):	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
GS3 Ryegrass seed-set as winter/ spring food for birds	2 ha	3 ha

Ponds and ditches

Select one or more options as appropriate (optional):	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
WT1 Buffering in-field ponds and ditches in improved grassland	as required	as required

8.6 Mid Tier package for mixed farms

In total the options you choose must cover at least 3% of the eligible land included in your package. You should apply the percentage calculation to the total area of arable land, temporary grassland and permanent grassland in the application.

8.7 Essential resources for wild pollinators and farmland birds

1. Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds

Select one or more of the following options from each essential resource (mandatory)	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
AB1 Nectar flower mix	2 ha	3 ha
AB8 Flower-rich margins and plots	2 ha	3 ha
AB15 Two-year sown legume fallow	2 ha	3 ha
AB16 Autumn sown bumblebird mix	2 ha	3 ha
AB11 Cultivated areas for arable plants (no more than 25% of the total resource area)	2 ha	3 ha
GS4 Legume and herb-rich swards (or OP4 Multi-species ley)	1 ha	3 ha
GS2 Permanent grassland with very low inputs (outside SDA)	1 ha	3 ha
GS17 Lenient grazing supplement	1 ha	3 ha

2. Winter food for seed-eating birds

You can choose to make-up your winter seed resources using just one of these options or a combination. Use the online calculators in your application form to help with the calculations.

Select one or more of the following options from each essential resource (mandatory)	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
AB9 Winter bird food (or OP2 Wild bird seed mixture)	2 ha	3 ha
GS3 Ryegrass seed-set as winter/ spring food for birds	2 ha	3 ha
AB6 Enhanced Overwinter Stubble	5 ha	7.5 ha
AB2 Basic overwinter stubble (or OP1 Overwintered stubble)	10 ha	15 ha
AB7 Whole crop cereals	10 ha	15 ha

8.8 Additional resources

Hedgerows

Select one or more options as appropriate (optional):	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
BE3 Management of hedgerows	500 m	2000 m

8.9 Ponds and ditches

Select one or more options as appropriate (optional):	Minimum quantity required per 100 ha of application land	Maximum quantity required per 100 ha of application land
WT2 Buffering in-field ponds and ditches on arable land	as required	as required

The following table gives worked examples of what a Mid Tier WPFWP could look like in different farm scenarios.

Farm scenario	Area of application land to be considered for CS	Package chosen	Typical options to meet the minimum requirements of essential resources	Annual payment for undertaking these options	Additional options to consider	Comments
Arable farm on heavy land, mainly winter cropping, with some high quality hedgerows	250 ha	Arable	1.5 ha AB1 Nectar flower mix 1 ha AB8 Flower-rich margins and plots 5ha AB9 Winter bird food	£4,696.50	BE3 Management of hedgerows of high environmental value AB4 Skylark plots	Spread AB1 and AB9 across the farm, and split AB9 between annual and biennial mixtures
Arable farm on light soil with some spring cropping, good for arable flora and no high quality hedgerows	100 ha	Arable	0.5ha AB1 Nectar flower mix 0.25ha AB8 Flower rich margins and plots 0.25ha AB11 Cultivated area for arable plants 10ha AB2 Basic overwinter stubble	£1,162.50	AB4 Skylark plots	Consider substituting AB9 Winter bird food and/or AB6 Enhanced Overwinter Stubble for some/all of the AB2
100% grass farm that has some quality hedgerows, semi/unimproved grassland and some ponds	50 ha	Pastoral	0.5ha GS2 Permanent grassland with very low inputs (outside SDA) 0.5ha GS4 Legume and herb-rich swards 0.25ha GS1 Take field corners out of management (outside SDA) 250m BE3 Management of hedgerows of high environmental value (both)	£373.25	GS17 Lenient grazing supplement GS3 Ryegrass seed- set as winter/spring food for birds WT1 Buffering in-field ponds and ditches in improved grassland	Consider GS3 and GS17 in areas with good numbers of seed-eating farmland birds, such as yellowhammers
Mixed farm on heavy soil with high quality hedgerows and some unimproved grassland	200 ha	Mixed	4ha GS2 Permanent grassland with very low inputs (outside SDA) 4ha GS4 Legume and herb-rich swards 4ha AB9 Winter bird food	£4,520	BE3 Management of hedgerows of high environmental value	If there is silage on the farm, consider substituting some GS3 for part AB9

8.10 Summary of Resources

We’ve provided a summary of the options available for each of the essential resources that deliver WPFWP below.

Resource 1: Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds
Nectar flower mix (AB1)
Flower rich margins and plots (AB8)
Cultivated areas for arable plants (AB11)
Two year sown legume fallow (AB15)
Autumn sown bumblebird mix (AB16)
Management of hedgerows of high environmental value (one or both sides) (BE3)
Legume and herb-rich swards (GS4)
Multi-species ley (organic) (OP4)

Resource 2: Nesting, hibernation and sheltering habitat for insect pollinators and birds
Skylark plots (AB4)
Flower rich margins and plots (AB8)
Cultivated areas for arable plants (AB11)
Management of hedgerows of high environmental value (one or both sides) (BE3)
Taking field corners out of management (GS1)
Permanent grassland with very low inputs (GS2)
Lenient grazing supplement (GS17)

Resource 3: Winter food for seed-eating birds
Basic over-winter stubble (AB2)
Enhanced over-winter stubble (AB6)
Whole crop cereals (AB7)
Winter bird food (AB9)
Ryegrass seed-set as winter or spring food for birds (GS3)
Over-winter stubble (organic) (OP1)
Wild bird seed mixture (organic) (OP2)