Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier actions

Question 1

Agroforestry

Accepted Answer

CAGF1: Manage high density in-field agroforestry (T4)

CAGF3: Manage medium density in-field agroforestry (T4)

CAGF2: Manage low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land (T4)

CAGF4: Manage very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land (T4)

CAGF1: Manage high density in-field agroforestry (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£849 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage land in an agroforestry system at an agreed density and spacing of trees.

Agroforestry is tree planting that’s deliberately combined with agriculture on the same piece of land.

The purpose is to:

reduce soil erosion
improve water and air quality on agricultural land
provide shade and shelter for crops and livestock
reduce flooding
contribute to net zero targets

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on ‘high-density’ in-field agroforestry that contains established trees at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings with approval from a Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You can only do this action if you have an agroforestry plan agreed by the Forestry Commission. You must also complete all agroforestry tree planting agreed in your plan before you can do this action.

To be eligible for this action, the in-field agroforestry system must:

contain established trees at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings if they’ll be left to become mature trees – fruit trees must be grown on semi-vigorous or vigorous rootstocks, which usually produce trees at least 4 metres tall
be high density

For the purpose of this action, high density means:

there’s an average of 251 to 400 trees per hectare spread evenly across the area you enter into this action in each land parcel
the trees are usually planted in rows or a grid

You cannot do this agroforestry action on protected sites, including:

sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
Ramsar sites

You also cannot do this action where it would damage priority habitats, protected species or features of archaeological, historic or landscape value, unless you have approval from Natural England or Forestry Commission.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

have or be establishing trees at an agreed density and spacing pattern
replace dead trees where necessary to maintain an average of at least the minimum number of trees for the agreed density banding
protect trees from damage from grazing livestock and pests such as deer and rabbits
prune and shape the trees once they become established
manage weeds around the base of newly planted trees

The advice you’re given from Natural England or Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to establish a buffer if you’re planting trees next to a protected site (for example, site of special scientific interest).

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at the parcel level
associated invoices

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH4, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM2, CNUM3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CGS21, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, GS1, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, WD3, WT1, WT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

an agroforestry plan agreed with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer
a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Forestry Commission - read the guidance on forestry EIAs for more information
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments

You may need:

to get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
to get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
to apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
a screening decision under the agricultural EIA regulations from Natural England

You may also need a EIA screening decision when planting on:

uncultivated land and semi-natural areas (including historic features) to avoid damage from increased agricultural productivity
rural land to prevent damage from physical restructuring, such as adding, removing or changing fencing or adding, removing or moving materials (including soil)

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAGF3: Manage medium density in-field agroforestry (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£595 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage land in an agroforestry system at an agreed density and spacing of trees.

Agroforestry is tree planting that’s deliberately combined with agriculture on the same piece of land.

The purpose is to:

reduce soil erosion
improve water and air quality on agricultural land
provide shelter for livestock
reduce flooding
contribute to net zero targets

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on ‘medium-density’ in-field agroforestry that contains established trees at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings with approval from a Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You can only do this action if you have an agroforestry plan agreed by the Forestry Commission. You must also complete all agroforestry tree planting agreed in your plan before you can do this action. For the purpose of this action, medium density means:

there’s an average of 131 to 250 trees per hectare spread evenly across the area you enter into this action in each land parcel
the trees are usually planted in rows or a grid

To be eligible for this action, the in-field agroforestry system must:

contain established trees at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings if they’ll be left to become mature trees – fruit trees must be grown on semi-vigorous or vigorous rootstocks, which usually produce trees at least 4 metres tall
be medium density

You cannot do this agroforestry action on protected sites, including:

sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
Ramsar sites

You also cannot do this action where it would damage priority habitats, protected species or features of archaeological, historic or landscape value, unless you have approval from Natural England or Forestry Commission.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

have or be establishing trees at an agreed density and spacing pattern
replace dead trees where necessary to maintain an average of at least the minimum number of trees for the agreed density banding
protect trees from damage from grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits.
prune and shape the trees once they become established
manage weeds around the base of newly planted trees

The advice you’re given from Natural England or Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to establish a buffer if you’re planting trees next to a protected site (for example, site of special scientific interest).

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at the parcel level
associated invoices

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH4, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM2, CNUM3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CGS21, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, GS1, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, WD3, WT1, WT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

an agroforestry plan agreed with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer
a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Forestry Commission – read the guidance on forestry EIAs for more information
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments

You may need:

to get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
to apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
a screening decision under the agricultural EIA regulations from Natural England
to get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAGF2: Manage low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£385 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage land in an agroforestry system at an agreed density and spacing of trees on more environmentally sensitive land.

Agroforestry is tree planting that’s deliberately combined with agriculture on the same piece of land.

The purpose is to:

reduce soil erosion
improve water and air quality on agricultural land
provide shelter for livestock
reduce flooding
contribute to net zero targets

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on ‘low-density’ in-field agroforestry that contains established trees at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings with approval from a Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You can only do this action if you have an agroforestry plan agreed by the Forestry Commission. You must also complete all agroforestry tree planting agreed in your plan before you can do this action. For the purpose of this action, low density means:

there’s an average of 51 to 130 trees per hectare spread evenly across the area you enter into this action in each land parcel
the trees are usually planted in rows or a grid, spacing can be determined with your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser as you may need to apply for a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) - read the guidance on forestry EIAs for more information

To be eligible for this action, the in-field agroforestry system must:

contain established trees at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings if they’ll be left to become mature trees – fruit trees must be grown on semi-vigorous or vigorous rootstocks, which usually produce trees at least 4 metres tall
be low density

You can use this action on sites that are not suitable for the equivalent SFI action AGF2: Maintain low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land. The standard management activities for AGF2 may not be suitable because:

the land is classed as more ‘sensitive’ - these areas are identified on the SFI agroforestry sensitivity map
the site needs additional actions, supplements or capital items which are only available in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

You cannot do this agroforestry action on protected sites, including:

sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
Ramsar sites

You also cannot do this action where it would damage priority habitats, protected species or features of archaeological, historic or landscape value, unless you have approval from Natural England or Forestry Commission.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

have or be establishing trees at an agreed density and spacing pattern
replace dead trees where necessary maintain at least the minimum number of trees for the agreed density banding
protect trees from damage from grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits
prune and shape the trees once they become established
manage weeds around the base of establishing trees

The advice you’re given from Natural England or Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to establish a buffer if you’re planting trees next to a protected site (for example, site of special scientific interest).

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at the parcel level
associated invoices

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH4, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM2, CNUM3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CGS22, CGS21, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, GS1, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS7, GS8, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, WD3, WT1, WT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

an agroforestry plan agreed with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments

You may need to:

get a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Forestry Commission – read the guidance on forestry EIAs for more information
get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a screening decision under the agricultural EIA regulations from Natural England
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAGF4: Manage very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£248 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage land in an agroforestry system at an agreed density and spacing of trees on more environmentally sensitive land.

Agroforestry is tree planting that’s deliberately combined with agriculture on the same piece of land.

The purpose is to:

reduce soil erosion
improve water and air quality on agricultural land
provide shelter for livestock
reduce flooding
contribute to net zero targets

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on ‘very low’ density in-field agroforestry that contains established trees at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings with approval from a Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You can only do this action if you have an agroforestry plan agreed by the Forestry Commission. You must also complete all agroforestry tree planting agreed in your plan before you can do this action.

For the purpose of this action, very low density means:

there’s an average of 30 to 50 trees per hectare across the area you enter into this action in each land parcel
the trees are usually planted in rows or a grid, spacing can be determined with your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser as you may need to apply for a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) – read the guidance on forestry EIAs for more information
Ramsar sites

To be eligible for this action, the in-field agroforestry system must:

contain established trees at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings if they’ll be left to become mature trees – fruit trees must be grown on semi-vigorous or vigorous rootstocks, which usually produce trees at least 4 metres tall
be very low density

You can use this action on sites that are not suitable for the equivalent SFI action AGF1: Maintain very low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land. The standard management activities for AGF1 may not be suitable because:

the land is classed as more ‘sensitive’- these areas are identified on the SFI agroforestry sensitivity map
the site needs additional action, supplements or capital items which are only available in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

You cannot do this agroforestry action on protected sites, including:

sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

You also cannot do this action where it would damage priority habitats, protected species or features of archaeological, historic or landscape value, unless you have approval from Natural England or Forestry Commission.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

have or be establishing trees at the agreed density and spacing pattern
replace dead trees where necessary to maintain the average of at least the minimum number of trees for the agreed density banding
protect trees from damage from grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits
prune and shape the trees once they become established
manage weeds around the base of establishing trees

The advice you’re given from Natural England or Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to establish a buffer if you’re planting trees next to a protected site (for example, site of special scientific interest).

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at the parcel level
associated invoices

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH4, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM2, CNUM3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CGS22, CGS21, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, GS1, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS7, GS8, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, WD3, WT1, WT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

an agroforestry plan agreed with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments

You may need to:

get a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Forestry Commission – read the guidance on forestry EIAs for more information
get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a screening decision under the agricultural EIA regulations from Natural England
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 2

Boundary features

Accepted Answer

CHRW4: Manage hedgerows (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£13 per 100 metres (m) for one side of an eligible hedgerow per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there are managed hedgerows with a range of different heights and widths.

The purpose of this is to provide:

habitat for wildlife
pollen, nectar and berries for mammals, birds and insects

Where you can do this action

An eligible hedgerow for this action must be:

a boundary line of shrubs, or both shrubs and trees
over 20m long
less than 10m wide

The hedgerow can be:

newly planted, laid or coppiced
woody growth on top of an earth or stone-faced bank, for example, Cornish or Devon hedges

There can be gaps in the hedgerow if they’re not more than:

20m long
10% of the total length of the hedgerow when you add all the gaps in it together

If the gaps add up to more than 10%, you can do the action on the total length of the hedgerow if you’ll plant up the gaps during this action’s 5-year duration. You can apply for capital grants for BN7:Hedgerow gapping up and BN11: Planting new hedges to help you do this.

You can do this action on either one side or both sides of an eligible hedgerow unless you’re managing a fully established hedgerow in a coppicing or laying rotation. In this case, you must enter both sides of the hedgerow.

You must have management control of one or both sides, depending on what you enter into this action.

You can enter both sides of a roadside hedgerow (or a hedgerow that borders a neighbour’s land) if you:

have a legal right or obligation to maintain the hedgerow
can meet this action’s requirements

Eligible land

All land use codes are eligible for this action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Not applicable as this is a linear action. You can choose what length of eligible hedgerows to enter into this action.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must keep it on the same area of land for the duration of your agreement.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage hedges to allow them to reach a height and width agreed with your Natural England adviser

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

locate vehicle or stock access routes at least 6m away from features (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)
make sure all woody cuttings have been removed from within 2m of the centre of the hedge after trimming
agree hedgerow cutting frequency with your Natural England adviser
leave hedgerows to grow uncut if agreed by your Natural England adviser
tag hedgerow trees agreed with your Natural England adviser
manage the herb layer within 2m of the centre of the hedgerow as agreed with you Natural England adviser

You must not:

remove any tree limbs including the lower limbs or mature ivy growth from hedgerow trees
remove any standing deadwood
supplementary feed within 2m of the centre of the hedge

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 3

Buffer strips

Accepted Answer

CWT1: Buffer in-field ponds and ditches on improved grassland (T6)

CWT2: Buffer in-field ponds and ditches on arable land (T6)

CSW21: 6m to 24m 3-dimensional (3D) buffer strip (T3)

CWT1: Buffer in-field ponds and ditches on improved grassland (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£311 per hectare (ha) per year

Calculate the hectarage by:

measuring the length of the buffer strip in metres (m) along the edge of the feature being protected
multiplying that length by the relevant width (10m to 20m) to give the area in m2
dividing that area by 10,000 to convert it into ha

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s a wide grass buffer strip around a pond or ditch that:

has an intact grass sward throughout the year, without tracks and compacted areas
is left to develop a mix of tussocky grasses, flowering plants and low scrub
has minimal poaching by livestock

The purpose of this is to:

protect ponds or ditches from nutrient leaching and sediment runoff
help improve water quality
provide a habitat for wildlife

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line and adjacent to either:

a pond
a ditch that’s under: CWT3: Manage ditches of high environmental value in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier.

You cannot do this action:

on historic or archaeological features.
around ponds associated with industrial features such as effluent ponds, balancing ponds or small water supply reservoirs

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish or maintain a 10m to 20m wide grass buffer strip adjacent to the pond or ditch
allow tussocky grass and low scrub to develop
only allow livestock to lightly poach an area agreed with your Natural England adviser

You must not:

allow scrub to develop on more than an agreed area of the pond or ditch margin – the southern side of the pond or ditch must remain largely open
apply fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
cut except to control the spread of woody growth – you can only cut between September and February

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFM1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW15, CSW16, CPAC1, CSW17, CSW19, CSW18, CSW20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OT1, SW15, SW16
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWT2: Buffer in-field ponds and ditches on arable land (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£681 per hectare (ha) per year.

Calculate the hectarage by:

measuring the length of the buffer strip in metres (m) along the edge of the feature being protected
multiplying that length by the relevant width (10m to 20m) to give the area in m2
dividing that area by 10,000 to convert it into ha

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s a wide grass buffer strip around a pond or ditch that:

has an intact grass sward throughout the year, without tracks and compacted areas
is left to develop a mix of tussocky grasses, flowering plants and low scrub
has minimal poaching by livestock

The purpose of this is to:

protect ponds or ditches from nutrient leaching and sediment runoff
help improve water quality
provide a habitat for wildlife

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line and adjacent to either:

a pond
a ditch that’s under: CWT3: Manage ditches of high environmental value in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

You cannot do this action:

around ponds used for industrial purposes, including effluent and balancing ponds or small water supply reservoirs
on historic or archaeological features

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish or maintain a 10m to 20m wide grass buffer strip adjacent to the pond or ditch in the first year of your agreement
allow tussocky grass and low scrub to develop

You must not:

allow scrub to develop on more than half of the pond or ditch margin – the southern side of the pond or ditch must remain open
apply fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
cut except to control the spread of woody growth – you can only cut between September and February

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW17, CSW19, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER). 

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW21: 6m to 24m 3-dimensional (3D) buffer strip (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,182 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to create and maintain a 6 to 24 metre-wide buffer with raised ridges covered in vegetation that will intercept surface flows and allow water to infiltrate into the ground.

3D buffer strips are strips of land with a combination of grass (and other plants) and raised ridges, rather than a flat single level grass buffer strip. This is to slow the flow of surface run-off.

The purpose is to:

improve water quality by stopping pollutants, such as soil and nutrients, from being carried away in surface water runoff
improve drought resilience
reduce downstream flood risk
provide habitat corridors for wildlife

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land where it will intercept and slow down surface flows from areas adjacent to land at risk of erosion. This could be for example, improved permanent grassland next to a waterbody (pond or lake), watercourse (ditch, river, or stream) or field boundary.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You cannot do this action:

above the moorland line
on sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)
on land with historic or archaeological features (including Scheduled Monuments)

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish a 6 to 24m-wide vegetated buffer (on average) with tied, raised ridges along its length (as agreed with your adviser) – it can be more than 24m wide, but you’ll only be paid up to this amount
make sure the grass strip is in addition to any regulatory requirements relating to buffer strips
maintain the buffer through grazing or cutting to create a varied vegetation structure with deep rooting plants and a rough grass surface
remove soil compaction
control invasive non-native species where present

Once a buffer is established, you must not:

apply fertilisers or manures
allow livestock grazing the buffer to access the waterbody
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock
use the land as access routes for vehicles or livestock
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, PRF2, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 4

Coastal

Accepted Answer

CCT2: Make space for new coastal habitat (T5)

CCT3: Manage coastal saltmarsh and its vegetation (T5)

CCT4: Create intertidal and saline habitat on arable land (T5)

CCT5: Create intertidal and saline habitat by non-intervention (T5)

CCT7: Create intertidal and saline habitat on intensive grassland (T5)

CCT8: Manage and restore coastal sand dunes (T5)

CCT9: Manage and restore coastal vegetated shingle (T5)

CCT10: Manage and restore maritime cliffs and slopes (T5)

CCT6: Coastal vegetation management supplement (T5)

CCT2: Make space for new coastal habitat (T5)

Duration

20 years

How much you’ll be paid

£773 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to restore natural coastal processes to create and maintain long-term coastal habitat on land next to existing priority coastal habitat. This includes sand dunes, vegetated shingle and maritime cliffs and slopes.

The purpose of this is to:

help coastal habitats to naturally adapt to the impacts of climate change
support local and specialised species
provide a transition area between coastal and other habitats
allow intertidal and saline habitats to adapt naturally to the impacts of climate change

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on arable or improved grassland next to existing coastal habitat and located below the moorland line.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration, but there’s some flexibility due to natural coastal changes.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

allow coastal and natural hydrological processes to function freely without obstruction
only prevent natural processes, such as coastal erosion where this is identified in your implementation plan
remove and dispose of inorganic waste off site
protect archaeological or historic features from damage

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

manage areas of scrub and established trees on land next to existing coastal priority habitat
establish native vegetation, by encouraging natural regeneration
manage new and established vegetation by grazing, mowing or cutting
create and maintain areas of bare ground

You must not:

modify the natural hydrological properties of the site, unless agreed
carry out any capital works, including reprofiling or removing of man-made structures, unless identified in your implementation plan
apply fertilisers, organic manures or waste materials
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
create bare ground on, or disturb, historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CCT3: Manage coastal saltmarsh and its vegetation (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£724 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to maintain coastal saltmarsh in good condition and restore saltmarsh in unfavourable condition.

The purpose of this is to:

provide saltmarsh habitat and benefit locally and nationally important species
expand the extent of priority habitat coastal saltmarsh
increase the resilience of the habitat and wider coastal system to the impacts of climate change
contribute to carbon capture and storage

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on coastal saltmarsh located below the moorland line where vegetation has established and requires management. This includes:

upper zones of saltmarsh
older saltmarsh further inland above the mean high-water line
the transition area between saltmarsh and neighbouring habitats

Eligible land

You can do this action on land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Saltmarsh – ungrazeable	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration, but there’s some flexibility due to natural coastal changes.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

leave natural coastal and hydrological processes, such as erosion events or seasonal pooling, to function freely without obstruction
regularly monitor changes from natural events in the action area
regularly remove tidal deposits of litter (plastics, other artificial waste) by hand tools
manage vegetation to maintain a variety of species across the action area

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to control vegetation by grazing, mowing or cutting the area.

You must not:

apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
allow any activity which could harm the saltmarsh vegetation
alter the existing pattern of creek systems by removing, blocking, straightening or widening channels in the marsh
create any new channels
change or remove sea defences, unless agreed with the relevant responsible authorities
allow vehicle access, unless agreed by your Natural England adviser
apply any fertilisers or organic manures
plough, cultivate, reseed, roll or chain harrow
remove organic material, such as seaweed or driftwood, if washed on to the marsh
cut or remove surface material including turf or plants
create bare ground on, or disturb, historic or archaeological features
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC2, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5
CS options	CT4, CT5, CT7, OR2, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may also need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CCT4: Create intertidal and saline habitat on arable land (T5)

Duration

20 years

How much you’ll be paid

£812 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to create intertidal and saline habitats and small-scale saline lagoons on arable land. This includes the transition area between saltmarsh and neighbouring habitats.

The purpose of this is to:

let saline water enter the area by creating any necessary breaches to the sea wall, blocking drainage, or allowing inundation during high spring tides
benefit plants and animals that occur in brackish and saline conditions
contribute to more sustainable flood management
allow intertidal and saline habitats to naturally adapt to the impacts of climate change
enhance the coastal landscape

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on arable land that:

is next to saltmarsh or other intertidal habitats
lies behind or near to a coastal defence
is mostly at or below spring tide high water level
is located below the moorland line

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You cannot do this action if the planned creation of intertidal and saline habitat is subject to:

a compensation or planning consent condition
another Habitat Regulations requirement

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration, but there’s some flexibility due to natural coastal changes.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

allow coastal and natural hydrological processes to function freely without obstruction
monitor changes from natural events, such as after storms or high spring tides
regularly remove tidal deposits of litter, such as plastics or other artificial waste
only carry out excavation or construction work (as agreed with Natural England)
only carry out works to sea defences or water inlet and outlet systems (as agreed with Natural England)
only allow vehicular access on routes agreed with Natural England
protect and minimise disturbance to archaeological or historic features

You must not:

apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
apply any fertilisers or manures
carry out drainage works or modify existing drainage, including creeks, without written permission from your Natural England adviser
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
create bare ground on, or disturb, historic or archaeological features
introduce grazing on intertidal, saline or transitional areas, unless agreed
locate access routes, feeders or troughs on or within 6m of historic and archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration, particularly after storm events, high tides and the spring or autumn equinox.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1,
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CCT5: Create intertidal and saline habitat by non-intervention (T5)

Duration

20 years

How much you’ll be paid

£494 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to allow for the natural creation of intertidal and saline habitats and small-scale saline lagoons. The action will follow the unmanaged breach or overtopping of flood defences.

The purpose of this is to:

benefit plants and animals that are adapted to a habitat with tides of saline water
contribute to more sustainable flood management
allow intertidal and saline habitats to naturally adapt to the impacts of climate change
enhance the coastal landscape

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that:

is next to saltmarsh or other intertidal habitats
lies behind or near to a coastal defence
is mostly at or below spring tide high water level
is located below the moorland line

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You cannot do this action if the planned creation of intertidal and saline habitat is subject to:

a compensation or planning consent condition
another Habitat Regulations requirement

Eligible Land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration, but there’s some flexibility due to natural coastal changes.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

allow coastal and natural hydrological processes to function freely without obstruction
monitor changes from natural events, such as after storms or high spring tides
regularly remove tidal deposits of litter, such as plastics or other artificial waste
protect any archaeological or historic features from damage

You must not:

apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
plough, cultivate, reseed, roll or chain harrow
reinstate or do any work to sea defences
do any excavation or construction work beyond that agreed in your management plan
apply fertilisers, organic manures or waste materials
graze with livestock
allow vehicular access
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
create bare ground on, or disturb, historic or archaeological features
remove wood debris or seaweed

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1,
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to get necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CCT7: Create intertidal and saline habitat on intensive grassland (T5)

Duration

20 years

How much you’ll be paid

£494 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to create intertidal and saline habitats and small-scale saline lagoons on intensive grassland. This includes the transition area between saltmarsh and neighbouring habitats.

The purpose of this is to:

prepare the site to let saline water enter the area by creating any necessary breaches to the sea wall, blocking drainage, or allowing inundation during high spring tides
benefit plants and animals that are adapted to a habitat with tides of saline water
contribute to more sustainable flood management
allow intertidal and saline habitats to naturally adapt to the impacts of climate change
enhance the coastal landscape

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on grassland that:

is next to saltmarsh or other intertidal habitats
lies behind or near to a coastal defence
is mostly at or below spring tide high water level
is located below the moorland line

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You cannot do this action if the planned creation of intertidal and saline habitat is subject to:

a compensation or planning consent condition
another Habitat Regulations requirement

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration, but there’s some flexibility due to natural coastal changes.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

allow coastal and natural hydrological processes to function freely without obstruction
monitor changes from natural events, such as after storms or high spring tides
regularly remove tidal deposits of litter, such as plastics or other artificial waste
protect and minimise disturbance to archaeological or historic features

You must not:

apply any fertilisers or manures
carry out drainage works or modify existing drainage, including creeks, without written permission from your Natural England adviser
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
create bare ground on, or disturb, historic or archaeological features
introduce grazing on intertidal, saline or transitional areas, unless agreed
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
undertake excavation or construction work, unless agreed with Natural England
undertake works to sea defences or water inlet and outlet systems, unless agreed with Natural England
undertake or permit vehicular access on routes, unless agreed with Natural England

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration, particularly after storm events, high tides and the spring or autumn equinox.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to get necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CCT8: Manage and restore coastal sand dunes (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£620 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to restore and keep coastal sand dune priority habitat in a healthy and dynamic condition. You can do this by allowing natural processes to function.

The purpose of this is to:

allow natural movement of sand to provide habitat and benefit locally important species
improve movement of sand to adjacent coasts
maintain diverse sand dune flora, naturally creating opportunities for specialist sand dune flora and fauna to establish
increase resilience of the habitat and wider coastal system to the impacts of climate change

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on coastal sand dunes located below the moorland line, including coastal sand dunes that are priority habitats or sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs).

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration, but there’s some flexibility due to natural coastal changes.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

allow coastal and natural hydrological processes to function freely without obstruction, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
keep some areas of bare sand
manage vegetation including scrub to maintain a varied landscape by grazing, mowing or cutting
manage injurious weeds and invasive non-native species by methods agreed with your Natural England adviser
only allow vehicle access on agreed routes
only create new access tracks or pathways if agreed with your Natural England adviser
remove and dispose of inorganic waste off site
protect archaeological or historic features from damage

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to create and manage notches or other features in the dunes.

You must not:

prevent natural processes, such as sand deposits forming during storms
modify or remove any sea defences or water inlet or outlet systems
bring in new sand to the site
plough, cultivate, reseed, roll or harrow
apply fertilisers, organic manures or waste materials
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
create bare ground on, or disturb, historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR2, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CCT9: Manage and restore coastal vegetated shingle (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£583 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to restore and keep vegetated coastal shingle habitat in a good condition. You can do this by allowing natural coastal processes to function.

The purpose of this is to:

allow natural changes to the coast to occur freely
provide suitable conditions for diverse shingle flora to naturally establish
increase resilience of the habitat and wider coastal system to the impacts of climate change

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on coastal vegetated shingle located below the moorland line, including coastal vegetated shingle that are priority habitats or sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs).

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You cannot do this action on:

shingle habitat that’s unvegetated or does not have typical coastal plant species, unless agreed with Natural England
coastal land that historically had shingle features, but the land use has changed over time

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration, but there’s some flexibility due to natural coastal changes.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

allow coastal and natural hydrological processes to function freely without obstruction
manage vegetation to maintain areas of bare shingle
only alter the shingle topography with the agreement of your Natural England adviser
manage injurious weeds, invasive non-native species and scrub by methods agreed with your Natural England adviser
only allow vehicle access on agreed routes
only create new access tracks or pathways if agreed with your Natural England adviser
remove and dispose of inorganic waste off-site
protect archaeological or historic features from damage

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

protect more sensitive areas of shingle
manage vegetation by cutting, mowing or grazing

You must not:

prevent natural processes, such as shingle deposits forming during storms
modify or remove any sea defences or water inlet or outlet systems
modify the natural hydrological properties of the site
bring in new shingle to the site
plough, cultivate, reseed, roll or chain harrow
apply fertilisers, organic manures or waste materials
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
create bare ground on, or disturb, historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR2, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CCT10: Manage and restore maritime cliffs and slopes (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£791 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to restore and keep maritime cliff and slope habitat in good condition. You can do this through appropriate management and by allowing natural processes to function.

The purpose of this is to:

create space for habitats and sediment supply for the rest of the coast
increase biodiversity by supporting locally or nationally important species

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on:

priority habitats and sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) designated as maritime cliffs and slopes on the Priority Habitat Inventory layer on MAGIC

If you have land that’s not mapped on the Priority Habitat Inventory on MAGIC, it may be eligible for this action with approval from your Natural England adviser for:

land that’s a coastal cliff or slope
land on top of a cliff or slope up to 500m inland of the sea

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration, but there’s some flexibility due to natural coastal changes.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

allow coastal and natural hydrological processes to function freely without obstruction
manage scrub and bracken to provide areas for birds to nest or shelter and encourage a diverse habitat
protect archaeological or historic features from damage

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

manage vegetation by grazing, mowing or cutting
create and maintain areas of bare ground

You must not:

carry out activities which could increase erosion rates (for example digging out weeds, reprofiling the cliff face or planting species to stabilise the slope)
modify hydrology through installing new artificial land drainage or abstracting water
apply artificial fertiliser on cliff tops or near the cliff slopes
create new access for vehicles unless agreed
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
create bare ground on, or disturb, historic or archaeological features
plough, cultivate, reseed, roll or chain harrow unless agreed with you Natural England adviser
dispose of any organic or non-organic matter on the site

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CMOR1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to:

get advice from the Environment Agency or a risk management authority on managing coastal erosion rates
refer to the shoreline management plan for your area to understand what management is proposed and find out the local erosion rate
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CCT6: Coastal vegetation management supplement (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£123 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to support coastal vegetation management. For example, by reducing existing levels of grazing, or introducing grazing or cutting.

The purpose of this is to:

provide a more varied sward structure and greater wildlife diversity
better control scrub and coarse vegetation
increase the number of nesting species and breeding pairs of locally and nationally important species
reduce damage by trampling

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:

CCT2: Make space for new coastal habitat
CCT3: Manage coastal saltmarsh and its vegetation
CCT4: Create intertidal and saline habitat on arable land
CCT5: Create intertidal and saline habitat by non-intervention
CCT7: Create intertidal and saline habitat on intensive grassland
CCT8: Manage and restore coastal sand dunes
CCT9: Manage and restore coastal vegetated shingle
CCT10: Manage and restore maritime cliffs and slopes

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

Same as base action

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action you must manage the vegetation on the coastal habitat by grazing or cutting using methods agreed with your Natural England adviser.

You must not allow supplementary feeding, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather, such as drought.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

a monthly record of grazing stock numbers
the frequency of vegetation cutting

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
consent from the Environment Agency or other responsible bodies for works on sea defences or other hydrological structures

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 5

Farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land

Accepted Answer

CAB2: Basic overwintered stubble (T6)

CAB5: Nesting plots for lapwing and stone curlew (T6)

CAB6: Enhanced overwintered stubble (T6)

CAB7: Whole crop cereals (T6)

CAB10: Unharvested cereal headland (T6)

CAB11: Cultivated areas for arable plants (T6)

CAB12: Supplementary winter bird food (T6)

CAB14: Low input harvested cereal crops (T6)

CAB16: Bumblebird mix (T6)

CAB17: Winter bird food on arable and horticulture land (T6)

CAB19: Pollen and nectar flower mix (T6)

COP3: Supplementary winter bird food (organic land) (T6)

CWD3: Manage woodland edges on arable land (T6)

CAB2: Basic overwintered stubble (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£58 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s a post-harvest stubble remaining over the autumn and winter.

The purpose is to provide:

a winter food source for seed-eating farmland birds
foraging habitats for farmland wildlife

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

This action is only available on stubble following the harvest of cereals, oilseed rape and linseed.

The action must not be used:

following the harvest of maize or sorghum
on parcels at risk of soil erosion or run-off
on organic land

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must retain the stubble from harvest until mid-February.

You must not:

apply pre-harvest crop desiccants
apply post-harvest herbicides
top or graze
apply fertilisers, manures or lime to the stubble

In the final year of this action, you must do the action until around mid-February or this action’s end date (whichever is earlier).

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, AGF1, AGF2, AHW5, AHW10, AHW11, PRF1, PRF2, PRF4, CIPM4, OFC3, OFM4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM4, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW17, CSW19, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB5, AB7, AB9, HS3, SW17, SW5
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB5: Nesting plots for lapwing and stone curlew (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£765 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there are fallow cultivated plots which:

have enough bare ground for nesting lapwing and stone curlew from spring through to late summer
are present from early spring until the arable crop is harvested in the summer

The purpose is to provide:

nesting sites for lapwing and stone curlew
flower, insect and seed-rich foraging habitat for other declining farmland birds (such as corn bunting, grey partridge, reed bunting, skylark and yellowhammer), small mammals, beneficial insects and important arable plants

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line that’s identified by you as not being at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff – you must keep evidence of this.

You cannot do this action on:

historic or archaeological features

You must not do this action on land that’s within:

100m of woods, in-field and hedgerow trees, buildings, overhead power lines, main roads and public rights of way
200m of wind turbines

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

create and retain individual cultivated fallow plots – you’ll agree the size, location and timing of these plots with your adviser
restore an agreed area of suitable bare ground nesting habitats

In the final year of this action, you must do this action until the arable crop is harvested in the summer or this action’s end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, SOH1, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM4, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20
CS options	AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB4, AB6, HS3, HS9, OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4, SW17
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB6: Enhanced overwintered stubble (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£589 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s a post-harvest stubble remaining during the autumn, winter, spring and summer months.

The purpose is to provide:

a winter food source for seed-eating farmland birds
spring and summer foraging and nesting habitats for other farmland birds, and habitats for other farmland wildlife

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

This action is only available on stubble following the harvest of cereals (not maize), oilseed rape and linseed.

The action must not be used:

following the harvest of maize or sorghum
on parcels at risk of soil erosion or run-off.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational. This means you must move its location each year.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

retain stubble and the following regeneration after harvest for an agreed amount of time
return the stubble to the farm rotation
submit an annual return to confirm that no stock grazed the stubble

You must not:

apply pre-harvest crop desiccants
apply pesticides to the stubble, except herbicides to control problem grass weeds by spraying the affected area from 15 May
top or graze the stubble
apply fertilisers, manures or lime
remove, cut or allow livestock to graze areas in stubble areas where the straw and crown of a crop (stubble) is growing

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the end of the winter months or this action’s end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
grazing records
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, SOH1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFM4, AHW5, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	AB11, AB14, AB15, AB5, HS3, OR3, OT3,
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB7: Whole crop cereals (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£596 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that:

a spring cereal crop is harvested as whole crop silage (grain and straw together)
the stubble is left over the autumn and winter months

The purpose is to provide:

late summer, autumn and winter foraging sites for declining and localised farmland birds, small mammals and pollinator species such as bees and other beneficial insects
overwinter habitat for insects and seed-eating farmland birds
summer foraging for declining and localised farmland birds, small mammals and pollinator species such as bees and other beneficial insects

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line and identified by you as not being at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff – you must keep evidence of this.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish a cereal crop (but not maize or sorghum) each year of your agreement during the spring season between February and April
retain stubble from harvest until mid-February
harvest the cereal crop as whole grain silage
submit an annual return to confirm no stock have grazed the land

You must not apply herbicides, apart from those containing:

amidosulfuron
clodinafop-propargyl
fenoxaprop-P-ethyl
pinoxaden
tri-allate

It may not be possible for you to use these permitted active ingredients on all eligible crops. It’s your responsibility to confirm whether herbicides are approved for use on the affected crop.

You must not:

top or graze
apply any insecticides from mid March until the following harvest
apply fertiliser, manures or lime to the stubble

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the end of the winter months or this action’s end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
grazing records
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, SOH1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFM4, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW17, CSW19, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	HS3, HS9, OR3, OT3
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB10: Unharvested cereal headland (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,072 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s an open-structured, spring cereal crop which:

is growing in strips or plots
remains unharvested during the summer, autumn and winter months

The purpose of this is to:

provide a summer food source for farmland birds and insects
help establish a diverse range of arable plants and other broad-leaved plants
provide a habitat that’s present over the winter for insects and food for seed-eating farmland birds

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action can be rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish and retain a cereal crop (not maize) as agreed with your Natural England adviser
make sure each strip or plot of seed is at least 6m wide
create an open structure by managing the crop as agreed with your Natural England adviser
retain the unharvested headland until a time agreed with your adviser (usually around the middle of February)

You must not:

apply fertilisers, manures or lime
apply insecticides after mid-March each year

You must also not apply herbicides, apart from those containing:

amidosulfuron
clodinafop-propargyl
fenoxaprop-P-ethyl
pinoxaden
tri-allate

It may not be possible for you to use these permitted active ingredients on all crops. It’s your responsibility to confirm whether herbicides are approved for use on the affected crop.

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the end of the winter months or this action’s end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, SOH1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFM4, PRF2, PRF4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	HS3, HS9, OR3, OT3, SW5, SW6
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB11: Cultivated areas for arable plants (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£660 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there are fallow cultivated margins or plots with:

a fine surface suitable for wild arable plants to establish from the soil seed bank when they’re cultivated in the spring or autumn
natural vegetative cover throughout the growing season until the end of the summer

The purpose of this is to:

allow scarce and declining wild arable plants to increase their populations over time
provide areas of less densely vegetated ground for insects such as bumblebees, solitary bees and hoverflies
provide summer foraging habitats for farmland birds such as grey partridge and turtle dove

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

Eligible land

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

create the fallow plots or margins either annually or once every 2 years (as agreed with your adviser)
cultivate to create a fine soil surface in spring or autumn (or both)

You must not:

apply fertilisers, manures or lime
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
disturb any cultivated areas unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
use the cultivated areas as regular access tracks for vehicles

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the end of the agreement or action end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, SOH1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, AHW6, PRF1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	AB16, AB2, HS3, HS9, OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4, SW5, SW6
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB12: Supplementary winter bird food (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£732 per tonne of supplementary winter bird food

You can enter a maximum of one tonne of supplementary feed per 2 hectares of winter bird food (action CAB17) into your agreement.

This action can also be used as a standalone action with approval from your Natural England adviser - the quantity of supplementary feed will be agreed with your adviser.

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that over the winter until mid-spring there’s a mix of seeds spread on the ground at different feeding areas which are:

firm and free draining, such as farm tracks or hard standing areas
close to areas of winter bird food, enhanced overwinter stubbles or game cover

The purpose of this is to provide seed-eating farmland birds (such as corn bunting, linnet, yellowhammer and grey partridge) with supplementary food when:

seed is in short supply in the late winter period (known as the hungry gap)
their breeding season starts

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

This action must be carried out with CAB17: Winter Bird Food or it can be used on its own at the discretion of your adviser.

COP3: Supplementary winter bird food (organic land) is the equivalent organic CSHT action (insert GOV.uk link when ready).

Eligible land

You must do this action on land that’s:

firm and free draining, such as farm tracks, areas of hard standing, fallow, overwintered stubble and winter bird food

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

spread a supplementary feeding mix as agreed with your Natural England adviser
keep a feeding diary with details of the feeding mixture (weight of components and cost), dates of feeding, method of feeding (hopper or spreading), amount of feed and the location of feeding areas
select feeding areas near overwinter stubbles, winter bird food plots and bumblebird mixtures (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the end of the agreement or action end date, whichever is earlier.

You must not:

use tailings (small seeds and chaff removed from the harvested crop) as supplementary feed.
use hoppers other than to supply an agreed amount of the total amount of feed provided during the feeding periods.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB14: Low input harvested cereal crops (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£354 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s a low input, open-structured cereal crop growing:

in strips or plots
during the spring and summer months until it’s harvested

The purpose of this is to:

enable wildflower species to grow within the crop
provide summer foraging sites for declining and localised farmland birds, such as yellowhammer and reed bunting
provide habitat for skylarks, farmland wildlife and pollinator species

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish a cereal crop (not maize) as agreed with your Natural England adviser
make sure each strip or plot of seed is at least 6m wide
create an open structure by managing the crop as agreed with your Natural England adviser

You must not:

apply insecticides after mid-March each year
harvest the crop before a date agreed with your adviser (usually around the middle of July)

You must also not apply herbicides, apart from those containing:

amidosulfuron
clodinafop-propargyl
fenoxaprop-P-ethyl
pinoxaden
tri-allate

It may not be possible for you to use these permitted active ingredients on all crops. It’s your responsibility to confirm whether herbicides are approved for use on the affected crop.

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the end of the agreement or action end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, SOH1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFM4, OFA1, AHW6, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW17, CSW19, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	AB2, AB6, AB9, HS3, HS9, OP1, OR3, OT3, SW6
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB16: Bumblebird mix (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£747 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s an established multi-annual mix of seed-bearing crops and flower species which:

is growing in blocks or strips
produces small seeds for farmland birds from late autumn until late winter
produces areas of pollen and nectar-rich flowering plants during the growing season

The purpose of this is to:

provide food resources for farmland birds and nectar feeding insects, such as bumble bees, solitary bees, butterflies and hoverflies
increase biodiversity
support an integrated pest management approach if located close to cropped areas

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action can be rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action when it’s re-established
keep it at the same location when it’s re-established

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain or establish, blocks or strips of bumblebird mix in the first year of your agreement
use a seed mix agreed with your Natural England adviser
re-establish the mixture, if it fails to establish
maintain the same quantity of bumblebird mix each year of your action’s duration
top the established mixture from the second spring after sowing (typically this will be mid-February to mid-March)
re-establish the seed mix in future years to maintain seed and nectar provision (typically this is every two years)

You must not:

destroy the established mix until mid to late August in the second summer after sowing
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the agreement end date or this action’s end date, whichever is earlier

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, PRF1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM4, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR3, OR4, OR5, OT3, OT4, OT5
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER). 

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB17: Winter bird food on arable and horticulture land (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£853 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s an established winter bird food mix growing in blocks or strips, with plants that:

grow and flower during the spring and summer
set seed to produce a supply of small seeds from late autumn until late winter

The purpose of this is to:

provide food resources for smaller farmland birds especially in late autumn and winter
encourage flowering plants in the summer, which will benefit insects including bumblebees, solitary bees, butterflies and hoverflies
support an integrated pest management approach if located close to cropped areas

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish and maintain an agreed area of winter bird food blocks or strips, using a seed mix agreed with your Natural England adviser
re-establish one-year mixes annually and 2 year mixes every other year to maintain seed production
keep winter bird food plots for a specific time agreed with your Natural England adviser – normally around the middle of February
establish blocks or strips of winter bird food using an agreed seed mix at a time agreed with your adviser

You must not sow the following crops: artichokes, canary grass, giant and intermediate sorghum, maize, miscanthus, sweet clover, tic beans in your seed mixes.

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the end of the agreement or action end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, PRF1, PRF2, PRF4, CIPM3, CIPM4, CIPM1, CNUM1, CHS3, CSH9
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM3, IPM4, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	HS3, HS9, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT3, OT4, OT5
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CAB19: Pollen and nectar flower mix (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£739 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s an established pollen and nectar flower mix which:

is growing in blocks or strips
produces areas of flowering plants from late spring and during the summer months

The purpose of this is to:

provide food for beneficial pollinators such as bumble bees, solitary bees, butterflies and hoverflies
encourage natural crop pest predators as part of an integrated pest management approach if located close to cropped areas

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action can be rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish by sowing in blocks or strips with an agreed flower seed mix, cutting regularly for the first year after sowing
manage the plots by rotationally cutting or grazing an agreed area of the plot annually to deliver the action’s aims

You must not:

cut or graze it with livestock in a way that means this action’s aim cannot reasonably be expected to be achieved
use it for regular vehicular access, turning or storage (for example, storing bales or machinery)
apply any fertilisers and manures
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the agreement end date or this action’s end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices, including details of the seed mix used
photographs
records of stock grazing on the parcel (if you manage the plot with grazing livestock)

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR3, OR4, OR5, OT3, OT4, OT5
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

COP3: Supplementary winter bird food (organic land) (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£935 per tonne

You can enter a maximum of one tonne of supplementary feed per 2 hectares of winter bird food (action CAB17) into your agreement.

This action can also be used as a standalone action with approval from your Natural England adviser – the quantity of supplementary feed will be agreed with your adviser.

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that from late winter until mid-spring, there’s a mix of seeds spread on the ground at multiple feeding areas.

The purpose of this is to provide seed-eating farmland birds with supplementary food when:

seed is in short supply in the late winter period (known as the hungry gap)
their breeding season starts in early spring

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

firm and free draining, such as farm tracks or hard standing areas
close to areas of existing winter bird food, enhanced overwinter stubbles or game cover
located below the moorland line

This action must be carried out with CAB17: Winter bird food on arable and horticulture land or it can be used on its own at the discretion of your Natural England adviser.

You can only apply for this action if the land is registered as ‘fully organic’ or ‘in conversion’ by a Defra-licensed organic control body

Eligible land

You must do this action on land that’s:

firm and free draining, such as farm tracks, areas of hard standing, fallow, overwintered stubble and winter bird food

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location each year

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

spread a supplementary feeding mix as agreed with your Natural England adviser
keep a feeding diary with details of the feeding mixture (weight of components and cost), dates of feeding, method of feeding (hopper or spreading), amount of feed and the location of feeding areas
select feeding areas near overwinter stubbles, winter bird food plots, bumblebird mixtures (as agreed with you Natural England advisor)
only use hoppers to supply an agreed amount of the total amount of feed provided during the feeding periods
comply with organic standards – you must split the supplementary food mix by 70% cereals and 30% small seeds

You must not use tailings (small seeds and chaff removed from the harvested crop) as supplementary feed.

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the end of the agreement or action end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

In the final year of this action, you must do this action until mid-spring or this action’s end date (whichever is earlier).

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
details of seed mix
photographs

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWD3: Manage woodland edges on arable land (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£428 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s an uncultivated, naturally regenerated strip of scrub and grass mosaic developing between arable land and woodland.

The purpose of this is to provide woodland edge habitat for birds, invertebrates, small mammals and other wildlife.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this action on agricultural land that’s:

adjacent to predominantly native or ancient semi-natural woodland
located below the moorland line

You cannot do this action on historic or archaeological features.

Eligible land

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you have to keep it on the same area of land for the duration of your agreement.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

allow the woodland edge to grow out, as agreed with your Natural England adviser
only cut the scrub and grass, to maintain the mosaic and control injurious weeds and invasive non-native species
cut no more than one third of the shrubby growth each year
keep a monthly record of stock numbers grazing on each parcel

You must not:

apply fertilisers or manures
supplementary feed
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
cultivate within 6 metres (m) of the woodland edge
cut the scrub and grass mosaic during the bird breeding season (typically between March and the end of August)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs
monthly stock records for numbers of animals grazing

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, CSAM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1 IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 6

Grassland

Accepted Answer

CGS18: Manage species-rich floodplain meadows (T1)

CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl (T1)

CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders (T1)

CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features (T1)

CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland (T1)

CGS26: Manage grassland with very low inputs (T6)

CSP1: Difficult site supplement (T6)

CSP5: Shepherding supplement (non-moorland) (T1)

CSP6: Cattle grazing supplement (non-moorland) (T1)

CSP7: Introduction of cattle grazing on the Isles of Scilly supplement (T6)

CSP11: Manage scrapes and gutters supplement (T1)

CGS16: Rush control supplement (T1)

CGS23: Haymaking supplement (T1)

CGS24: Haymaking supplement (late cut) (T1)

CUP2: Manage rough grazing for birds (T1)

CGS18: Manage species-rich floodplain meadows (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,070 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage species rich floodplain meadows with:

appropriate conditions to allow natural seasonal flooding to occur. This means flooding that occurs without the use of control structures such as sluices and hatches to regulate water
a good cover of flowering grasses and wildflowers from late spring and during the summer months, including at least 1 frequently occurring and 3 occasionally occurring ‘indicator’ species typical of a species-rich floodplain meadow
suitable sward heights and structure for a species-rich floodplain meadow by autumn
enough flowering grasses and wildflowers left to go to seed to maintain or increase the presence and abundance of ‘indicator’ plant species typical of a species-rich floodplain meadow
appropriate scrub and rush cover for a species-rich floodplain meadow
any historic or archaeological features protected from damage

The purpose of this is to:

maintain or increase floodplain meadow habitats which support wildlife and biodiversity
provide valuable space for floodwaters
create potential for carbon capture and increased climate resilience
contribute to protecting valued landscapes and archaeology

You can use this action to manage:

existing floodplain meadows
floodplain meadows being restored or created

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land that is all of the following:

located below the moorland line
in the floodplain (usually identified as flood zones 2 or 3 on the Environment Agency’s Flood map for planning)
on land that naturally floods or that can be allowed to flood naturally

The land must also be one of the following:

permanent grassland that is existing lowland meadow priority habitat – it does not need to be mapped on the Priority Habitat Inventory
arable land, temporary grassland or permanent grassland that has a high or medium potential for restoration or creation of species rich floodplain meadows

If you’re restoring or creating a species rich floodplain meadow, you will need a restoration or creation plan. This could be done through either an implementation plan or feasibility study (as agreed with your Natural England adviser).

Your restoration or creation plan must include:

a map showing where restoration (from permanent grassland to grassland habitat) or creation (from arable or temporary grassland to grassland habitat) will take place
soil analysis results including the soil available phosphorus (Olsen P method) and the soil potassium status. Soil analysis must have been carried out within the last year.

You can use this action on sites that are not suitable for the equivalent SFI action GRH4. The standard management activities for GRH4 may not be suitable because:

the land parcel has a mixture of species rich grassland types
the site supports additional habitats, features or species which need tailored management (for example, where the site supports rare birds)
the site needs additional action, supplements or capital items which are only available in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent grassland	Grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain, restore, or establish a mix of high value indicator plants typical of the floodplain meadow priority habitat – some indicator species will be frequent or occasional across the site, as set out in your agreement
maintain or restore the appropriate hydrology to allow flood water to flow naturally onto and off the field
maintain existing infrastructure including culverts, pipes, grips and ditches to allow floodwater to return to a watercourse
take an annual hay cut after 15 June (or a date agreed with your Natural England adviser), which must be field dried, turned or tedded, baled and removed – hay making may not be needed in the first years of a creation project
remove livestock for at least 8 continuous weeks during the spring and summer before taking the hay cut
graze the aftermath or take a second hay cut
manage injurious weeds and invasive non-native species by cutting, hand pulling and grazing, or using methods agreed with your Natural England adviser
protect historic and archaeological features

The advice you’re given by Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

restrict topping to areas and time periods in your agreement
control scrub, rushes and other competitive plant species to achieve the right vegetation conditions
remove livestock at certain times of the year outside of the shut-up period
maintain a continuous grass sward or vegetation cover over historic and archaeological features and prevent additional scrub encroachment on historic or archaeological features
establish additional plant species agreed with your Natural England adviser
carry out plant species surveys to monitor the habitat
take and record dipwell readings to monitor the site wetness
follow an agreed wildfowling strategy and record bag returns

You must not:

apply any inorganic fertilisers, digestate or other industrial by-product including paper waste – the application of organic fertiliser will be limited to 6 tonnes per hectare of farmyard manure but only in years when the land has not flooded in the previous winter
work on ditches between April and August – this may also apply to surface water features
plough, cultivate or reseed, unless this is part of an agreed sward creation and enhancement plan
supplementary feed except for the use of mineral blocks or other types of feed agreed with your adviser
take any actions to retain water on site artificially or to disconnect the site from its adjacent water course (unless agreed with your Natural England) adviser
harrow, roll or supplementary feed on historic or archaeological features
carry out mechanical operations or other activities that may cause significant disturbance to birds during the breeding season or the autumn and winter (this does not include ditch maintenance)
carry out land management activities in a way that causes poaching or overgrazing

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

records of field operations
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser if you’re restoring or creating floodplain meadows
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting work involving hydrological features
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on land in your agreement

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£547 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s wet grassland with:

in-field wet areas, including standing water and bare and muddy areas during the autumn and winter months
the year’s grass growth removed by autumn, leaving some tussocky grass to develop, so there are suitable sward heights and structure for wintering waders and wildfowl
appropriate rush cover for the wintering waders and wildfowl
any historic or archaeological features protected from damage
a good cover and range of flowering grass and wildflowers from late spring and during the summer months if your land is priority habitat species-rich grassland

The purpose of this is to: 

provide suitable wet grassland feeding and roosting habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl
support other features such as historic or archaeological features, ditches of high environmental value and areas of species-rich wet grassland

You can use this action to manage:

existing grassland
grassland that’s being restored or created for wintering waders and wildfowl

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land located below the moorland line that’s one of the following:

You can also do this action on arable or temporary grassland located below the moorland line which has high potential for creation of wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl.

If you’re restoring or creating grassland, you must provide your Natural England adviser with:

a map showing where restoration (from permanent grassland to grassland habitat) or creation (from arable or temporary grassland to grassland habitat) will take place
soil analysis results including the soil available phosphorus (Olsen P method) and the soil potassium status – this is only required if you’re intending to reintroduce wildflowers. Soil analysis must have been carried out within the last year, or within the last 5 years if there have been no fertiliser applications or increase in stocking levels since the last soil analysis.

You can use this action on sites that are not suitable for the equivalent SFI action GRH3. The standard management activities for GRH3 may not be suitable because:

the grassland supports a mix of wildfowl and wader species which need more specific management
the site supports additional habitats, features or species which need specific management (for example, where there are areas of species rich vegetation)
the site needs to use additional actions, supplemental actions or capital items which are only available in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain or restore the appropriate hydrology and provide wet conditions for wintering waders and wildfowl to feed and roost
make sure there are areas of standing water and wet features during autumn and winter
manage the grassland by grazing, cutting or a combination of both to provide the right vegetation height and structure for the target birds
keep boundary hedges short
protect historic and archaeological features

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

maintain wet features, including gutters and scrapes, to provide muddy areas for waders and wildfowl to feed – you can apply for CSP11: Manage scrapes and gutters supplement to pay for this
keep scrapes and gutters wet using water control structures
keep vegetation around scrapes and gutters short with some taller tussocks
remove livestock at certain times of the year
restrict topping to areas and time periods set out in your agreement
control scrub, rushes and other tall or competitive plant species to achieve the right vegetation conditions for target birds
maintain or restore a mix of high value indicator plants if the grassland is a species-rich priority habitat – some indicator species will be frequent or occasional across the site, (as set out in your agreement)
establish additional plant species if agreed with your Natural England adviser
follow an agreed wildfowling strategy and record bag returns

You must not:

apply fertilisers or farmyard manure (unless agreed with your Natural England adviser)
apply any other manures, digestate or any other industrial by-product including paper waste
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed except for the use of mineral blocks or other forms of feed agreed by your Natural England adviser
carry out mechanical operations or other activities that may cause significant disturbance to birds during the breeding season or the autumn and winter (this does not include ditch maintenance)
work on ditches between April and August – this may also apply to surface water features
harrow, roll, supplementary feed or allow bare soil on archaeological or historic features
allow additional scrub to encroach on archaeological or historic features
plough, cultivate or reseed, unless this is part of an agreed sward creation and enhancement plan
carry out drainage works without written permission from your Natural England adviser
carry out land management activities in a way that causes poaching or overgrazing

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
obtain necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£676 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s wet grassland with:

in-field wet areas, including standing water and bare and muddy areas, during the wader breeding season and the autumn and winter months
suitable sward heights and structure for the priority breeding wader bird species on your land (or likely to use your land) to nest during their breeding season
appropriate rush cover for the priority breeding wader species on your land (or likely to use your land)
any historic or archaeological features protected from damage
a good cover and range of flowering grasses and wildflowers from late spring and during the summer months if your land is priority habitat species-rich grassland

The purpose of this is to: 

provide suitable wet grassland nesting and feeding habitat for priority breeding wader species including lapwing, redshank, curlew and snipe so they can, in most years, successfully fledge their young
support other species such as wintering wildfowl
support other features such as historic or archaeological features, sites, ditches of high environmental value and areas of species-rich wet grassland

You can use this action to manage existing grassland or grassland that’s being restored or created for breeding waders.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land located below the moorland line that’s one of the following:

priority habitat coastal or floodplain grazing marsh which supports priority breeding waders including lapwing, redshank, curlew, snipe – it does not need to be mapped on the Priority Habitat Inventory (PHI) layer on MAGIC
other wet grassland which already supports priority breeding waders
has high potential for the restoration of wet grassland for priority breeding waders

You can also do this action on arable or temporary grassland located below the moorland line which has high potential for creation of wet grassland for breeding waders.

If you’re restoring or creating grassland, you must provide your Natural England adviser with:

a map showing where restoration (from permanent grassland to grassland habitat) or creation (from arable or temporary grassland to grassland habitat) will take place
soil analysis results including the soil available phosphorus (Olsen P method) and the soil potassium status – this is only required if you’re intending to introduce wildflowers. Soil analysis must have been carried out within the last year, or within the last 5 years if there have been no fertiliser applications or increase in stocking levels since the last soil analysis.

You can use this action on sites that are not suitable for the equivalent SFI action GRH2. The standard management activities for GRH2 may not be suitable because:

the grassland supports a mix of wader species which need more specific management
the site supports additional habitats, features or species which need specific management (for example, where there are areas of species rich vegetation)
the site needs to use additional actions, supplemental actions or capital items which are only available in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain or restore the appropriate hydrology and provide wet conditions for priority wading birds during their breeding season
make sure there are areas of standing water and wet features during autumn and winter
provide the correct vegetation height and structure for target wading birds during the breeding season (typically late March to June for lapwing and redshank and April to July for curlew and late July for snipe) – you can do this usually by grazing but sometimes by cutting or topping
carry out appropriate management to protect historic and archaeological features
keep boundary hedges short – you’ll agree the exact height with your adviser and stated in your agreement document

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

maintain wet features, including scrapes and gutters, to provide muddy areas for waders and wildfowl to feed – you can apply for CSP11: Manage scrapes and gutters supplement to pay for this
keep scrapes and gutters wet using water control structures
keep vegetation around scrapes and gutters short with some taller tussocks
remove livestock at certain times of the year
reduce the risk of nests being trampled by grazing with a low stocking density and carefully managing livestock during the wader breeding season
follow a stocking calendar which includes stock type and minimum and maximum stocking rates each month
restrict topping to areas and time periods set out in your agreement
control scrub, rushes and other tall or competitive plant species to achieve the right vegetation conditions for target birds
maintain or restore a mix of high value indicator plants if the grassland is a species-rich priority habitat – some indicator species must be frequent or occasional across the site (as set out in your agreement)
establish additional plant species if agreed with your Natural England adviser
follow an agreed wildfowling strategy and record bag returns

You must not:

apply fertilisers or farmyard manure (unless agreed with your Natural England adviser)
apply any other manures, digestate or any other industrial by-product including paper waste
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed except for the use of mineral blocks or other forms of feed agreed by your Natural England adviser
carry out mechanical operations or other activities that may cause significant disturbance to birds during the breeding season or the autumn and winter (this does not include ditch maintenance)
work on ditches between April and August – this may also apply to surface water features
harrow, roll, supplementary feed or allow bare soil on historic or archaeological features
allow additional scrub to encroach on archaeological or historic features
plough, cultivate or reseed, unless this is part of an agreed sward creation or enhancement plan
carry out drainage works without written permission from your Natural England adviser
carry out land management activities in a way that causes poaching or overgrazing

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

records of field operations at parcel level
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£528 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage grassland to support target features. This can include existing grassland or grassland that’s being restored or created. This will support a range of habitats and features, including target species such as fungi, bats, insects, birds and rare plants. This action can also be used to provide buffer areas to link up priority habitats.

The purpose of this is to:

maintain or increase grassland habitat which supports wildlife and biodiversity
support features, such as historic sites and ditches of high environmental value
protect soil and reduce diffuse pollution

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on:

permanent grassland
arable and temporary grassland which has the potential for restoration or creation to grassland for target features
land located below the moorland line.

You can only do this above the moorland line with approval from a Natural England specialist

You cannot do this action on the following species-rich priority habitats, unless they occur as a mosaic with grassland which is not a species-rich priority habitat:

lowland calcareous grassland
lowland dry acid grassland
lowland meadows
upland hay meadows
purple moor-grass and rush pasture

If you’re restoring or creating grassland, you must provide your Natural England adviser with a map showing where restoration (from permanent grassland to grassland habitat) or creation (from arable or temporary grassland to grassland habitat) will take place. You may also need to provide soil analysis results including the soil available phosphorus (Olsen P method) and the soil potassium status – you’ll agree this with your adviser. Soil analysis must have been carried out within the last year, or within the last 5 years if there have been no fertiliser applications or increase in stocking levels since the last soil analysis.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Grassland	TG01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage the grassland so that there’s suitable vegetation for target species or features
manage the grassland by grazing or cutting for forage to maintain vegetation and soil condition, as agreed with your Natural England adviser
make sure scrub, undesirable plant species, rush and bracken do not outcompete other grassland species or damage historic or archaeological features
protect historic and archaeological features
maintain or restore the appropriate hydrology (site wetness)

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

top the grassland to control injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, bracken or areas dominated by rushes
allow grasses to go to seed
provide appropriate levels of scrub for the grassland habitat
remove livestock at certain times of the year
provide areas of bare ground
provide areas of fresh dung
maintain wet features such as scrapes and gutters
maintain boundary hedges at a suitable height
maintain continuous vegetation cover on historic and archaeological features
maintain or restore a mix of high value indicator plants if the grassland includes areas of species-rich priority habitat
maintain the soil pH at suitable levels for the grassland type
follow an agreed wildfowling strategy and record bag returns

You must not:

plough, cultivate or reseed (unless agreed with your Natural England adviser)
apply fertilisers or farmyard manure (unless agreed with your Natural England adviser)
apply any other manures, digestate or any other industrial by-product including paper waste
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed except for the use of mineral blocks or other forms of feed if agreed by your Natural England adviser
harrow, roll, supplementary feed or allow scrub or bracken to encroach on historic or archaeological feature
carry out drainage works without written permission from your Natural England adviser
work on ditches between April and August – this may also apply to surface water features
carry out mechanical operations or other activities that may cause significant disturbance to birds during the wader breeding season or the autumn and winter (this does not include ditch maintenance)
carry out land management activities in a way that causes poaching or overgrazing

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW15, CSW16, CPAC1, CSW18, CSW20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2, SW15, SW16
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser, particularly if you’re restoring or creating grassland
obtain the necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB), before starting any work
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£646 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage species-rich grassland which is a priority habitat or is in the process of becoming a priority habitat. You can use this to manage existing grassland or grassland that’s being restored or created.

The purpose of this is to maintain and improve the biodiversity of grassland areas to benefit flowering plants, fungi and other wildlife, such as insects, birds and bats.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that:

is already priority habitat species-rich grassland – it does not need to be mapped on the Priority Habitat Inventory (PHI)
will become priority habitat species-rich grassland because you’re creating or restoring it

Priority habitat species-rich grasslands include:

If your grassland is not ‘priority habitat species-rich grassland’, it may be eligible if it’s:

good quality semi-improved grassland
land mapped as ‘no main habitat, but additional habitat exists’

If your grassland is not on the Priority Habitats Inventory under any category it may still be eligible for management or restoration with approval from Natural England. Your grassland may support additional species or features, such as rare fungi. You’ll need to adjust management requirements accordingly.

You can also do this action to restore or create species-rich grassland on:

arable land
temporary or permanent grassland which is not currently species-rich

Land must have high or medium potential to become a species-rich grassland priority habitat.

If you’re restoring or creating grassland, you must provide your Natural England adviser with:

a map showing where restoration (from permanent grassland to grassland habitat) or creation (from arable or temporary grassland to grassland habitat) will take place
soil analysis results including the soil available phosphorus (Olsen P method) and the soil potassium status – this is only required if you’re intending to introduce wildflowers

You must have carried out soil analysis within the last year, or within the last 5 years if you have not:

applied fertiliser
increased stocking levels

You can use this action on sites that are not suitable for the equivalent SFI action GRH6. This may be because:

the standard management activities in the SFI action are not suitable for the site, (for example, the land parcel has a mixture of species rich grassland types)
the site supports additional habitats, features or species which need tailored management (for example, where the site supports rare birds)
the site supports types of species-rich grassland which are not eligible for the SFI action (for example, calaminarian grassland)
the site needs additional actions, supplements or capital items which are only available in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Temporary grassland	Grassland	TG01
Permanent grassland	Grassland	PG01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain, restore, or establish a mix of high value indicator plants typical of the species-rich grassland priority habitat – some indicator species will be frequent or occasional across the site, as set out in your agreement
manage by grazing, cutting or a combination of both, as agreed with your Natural England adviser, to provide a variety of vegetation heights appropriate for the grassland type
restrict topping to areas and time periods set out in your agreement
manage the appropriate level of scrub cover for the grassland type
protect historic and archaeological features
cut scrub or bracken by hand on archaeological or historic features

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

cut for hay no earlier than the end of June (or at a date agreed with your Natural England adviser) to allow plants to flower and set seed
remove all cuttings and graze the aftermath
remove livestock for at least 8 continuous weeks during the spring and summer before taking a hay cut
leave a proportion of the field uncut as a refuge for invertebrates and small mammals
remove livestock in certain years or at certain times of the year
increase or maintain livestock numbers at certain times of year for target features
manage rushes and other competitive plant species to achieve the right vegetation conditions
manage dense bracken stands rotationally by cutting or bruising
establish additional plant species if agreed with your Natural England adviser
take action to restore the appropriate hydrology (site wetness)
maintain the soil pH at suitable levels for the grassland type
carry out controlled burning
provide small areas of undisturbed bare ground to support specific species
follow an agreed wildfowling strategy and record bag returns

You must not:

supplementary feed except for the use of mineral blocks or other types of feed agreed with your Natural England adviser
apply farmyard manure, unless agreed otherwise with your Natural England adviser
apply any other manures, fertiliser, digestate or any other industrial by-product including paper waste
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
plough, cultivate or reseed, unless this is part of an agreed sward creation and enhancement plan
carry out mechanical operations or other activities that may cause significant disturbance to birds during the breeding season or the autumn and winter (this does not include ditch maintenance)
work on ditches typically between April and August – this may also apply to surface water features
harrow or roll, supplementary feed or allow bare soil on visible archaeological or historic features
allow additional scrub or bracken to encroach on archaeological or historic features
carry out drainage works without written permission from your Natural England adviser
carry out land management activities in a way that causes poaching or overgrazing

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2,
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CGS26: Manage grassland with very low inputs (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£151 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s grassland which produces a sward with:

flowering grasses and wildflowers from late spring and during the summer months
a variety of plant heights by autumn
some covering of flowering grasses and wildflowers left to go to seed
tussocky grass allowed to develop

The purpose of this is to:

provide nectar and shelter for invertebrates and a food supply for farmland birds
support an integrated pest management approach if located close to cropped areas
minimise nutrients being carried in surface water runoff to watercourses

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage by grazing with livestock or cutting for hay or silage. All cuttings must be removed
only apply fertilisers or manures at rates agreed with your Natural England adviser in years when the grassland is cut for hay, haylage, or silage
maintain a sward with different heights during the growing season
prevent additional scrub encroachment on historic or archaeological features
reduce bare ground, so the soil is covered by vegetation and is not exposed to the elements

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

top the grass as agreed with your Natural England adviser
maintain a soil pH and lime as agreed with your Natural England adviser
control dense areas of rush
retain areas of well-established scrub
leave an uncut margin around the edge of the area entered into this action when it’s cut for conserved forage – this helps provide shelter for invertebrates

You must not:

increase the rate of fertiliser or manure application from current levels
carry out drainage works, including modifying existing drainage, without written permission from Natural England
harrow or roll on historic or archaeological features
allow the encroachment of scrub on historic or archaeological features
plough, cultivate or re-seed
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
carry out mechanical operations or other activities that may cause significant disturbance to birds during the breeding season or the autumn and winter (this does not include ditch maintenance)
supplementary feed unless agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW15, CSW16, CPAC1, CSW18, CSW20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2, SW15, SW16
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP1: Difficult site supplement (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£93 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to:

support sites that are difficult to manage
retain small fields and existing boundary patterns

The purpose of this is to:

support the management of particularly difficult sites
retain small fields and their locally characteristic boundary pattern

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action in combination with a base action on eligible land which meets any of the following:

grazing management has been abandoned or is in danger of abandonment
the parcel area is less than 1ha with stockproof traditional boundaries including banks, hedges, walls or wet ditches. Gateways must be less than 3.6 metres (m) wide

On the Isles of Scilly, this supplemental action can be used in combination with a base action on eligible land which meets any of the following:

arable fields on the Isles of Scilly up to 0.4ha in area
total area of arable fields on the Isles of Scilly is up to 5ha, if sub-divided into smaller fields not bigger than 0.4ha. These fields must be bounded by granite walls or salt tolerant shrub hedges (also known as ‘fences’)
pastoral fields on the Isles of Scilly up to 2ha in area

Approval of this supplemental action and where you can use it is at the discretion of your Natural England adviser.

You cannot do this action with CUP3: General moorland management.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may need to:

graze the land
reintroduce livestock
keep a monthly record of stock number grazing the land parcels
maintain boundaries and gateways

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs
monthly stock records for numbers of animals grazing

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP5: Shepherding supplement (non-moorland) (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£10 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to introduce or reintroduce shepherding where significant changes are needed to land practices.

The purpose of this is to:

improve the quality of vegetation
reduce overgrazing in some areas and increase grazing in others
improve the habitats for birds, mammals and insects
protect and improve visibility of historic and archaeological features
create more suitable conditions for threatened species to thrive

Where you can do this action:

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base actions:

CCT8: Manage and restore coastal sand dunes
CCT9: Manage and restore coastal vegetated shingle
CGS26: Manage grassland with very low inputs
CWD20: Create wood pasture
CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland
CWD22: Manage wood pasture and parkland
CUP2: Manage rough grazing for birds
CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland
CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders
CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl
CGS21: Manage grassland for target features, species or features
CLH1: Manage lowland heathland
CLH2: Restore lowland heathland
CLH3: Creation of lowland heathland
CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics
CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics
CWT10: Manage lowland raised bog

You must not use this supplemental action where:

boundaries are not proofed against livestock that cannot be controlled effectively
there’s little or no shepherding available in the area
the site is not grazed
there’s already a local practice, custom or regulation in place for shepherding

Eligible land

Same as base action

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this supplemental action, you must:

keep records of shepherding or herding activities on the agreed area
only use mineral licks or supplementary feed in agreed locations

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

a record of shepherding activity
photographs of the management undertaken

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can apply for capital items to help you achieve the Action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP6: Cattle grazing supplement (non-moorland) (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£59 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that there’s an annual average of at least 60% of the grazing livestock units (GLU) made up of either:

cattle
ponies (where agreed with your Natural England adviser)
a combination of both

The purpose of this is to:

create a more varied sward structure
control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
increase wildlife diversity

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land below the moorland line and in combination with a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action approved by Natural England.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this supplemental action, you must make sure that an average of at least 60% of the GLU on land entered into the relevant base action are cattle, ponies or a combination of both.

Cattle and ponies will only be allowed where they meet the aims of the base action and are agreed with your Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

You must supply a written stocking record for each land parcel entered into this action if the RPA ask for it. The record must include the:

land parcel reference number and its hectarage
dates when grazing has taken place during each calendar month
monthly numbers of livestock, including their type and age bracket

To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:

Cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
Cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
Lowland ewe and lamb, or ram – 0.12 GLU
Store lamb, hill ewe and lamb or hogg or teg – 0.08 GLU
Goat – 0.12 GLU
Pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
Horse – 1.0 GLU

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP7: Introduction of cattle grazing on the Isles of Scilly supplement (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£279 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to introduce conservation grazing to the Isles of Scilly. This is on land where cattle do not currently graze.

The purpose is to help protect the environment by:

introducing a more varied sward structure that’ll increase wildlife diversity
helping manage scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
making sure animals graze wet areas and difficult sites such as steep slopes

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land located on the Isles of Scilly. It must be used in combination with a land management action where cattle grazing will help achieve the supplement’s aims, as agreed with your Natural England adviser.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this supplement

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

graze cattle on the land with the supplement
follow a stocking calendar agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs
monthly stock records for numbers of animals grazing

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER). 

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP11: Manage scrapes and gutters supplement (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1.17 per square metre (m2) per year - you must only include the physical area of the scrape or gutter.

You need to enter the area of scrape or gutter in hectares. To do this, divide the m2 area measurement by 10,000. This is the number you enter in your online application.

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to maintain existing scrapes and gutters to make sure they have:

an appropriate depth (and width for gutters), so it holds shallow standing water during the winter months (and during the spring and early summer if you’re managing wet grassland for breeding waders)
gently sloping sides, so they can be used by feeding birds
areas of bare soil in dry habitats
bare, wet soil on the edges as the water level drops
a rough surface, so there is a variety of water depths

The purpose of this is to:

provide feeding areas for wading birds and wildfowl
support invertebrates, plants and other birds

For the purposes of this supplemental action, ‘scrapes and gutters’ include:

wet scrapes - these are shallow pools that provide seasonally wet areas, usually as a habitat for wildfowl and wading birds in wet grassland areas
dry scrapes - these are shallow depressions or areas of bare soil that provide habitats for invertebrates, plants and rare birds in areas such as heathland and dry grasslands
gutters (also known as foot drains, gripes and grips), - these are shallow channels that hold or transport water through wet habitats and provide feeding areas for wading birds

Soil can include sand in some habitats.

Where you can do this action:

You can only do this action where there are existing scrapes and gutters and on the appropriate Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base action.

You can do this supplemental action on eligible land with any of the following CSHT base actions:

CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders
CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl
CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features
CUP2: Manage rough grazing for birds

You must get approval from your Natural England adviser to do this supplemental action where management of existing scrapes or gutters will benefit habitats or species of interest. This could include CSHT actions for:

CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland
CLH1: Manage lowland heathland
CLH2: Restore lowland heathland
CLH3: Create lowland heathland
CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics
CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics
CCT2: Make space for new coastal habitat
CCT7: Creation of Intertidal and saline habitat on intensive grassland
CCT5: Create Intertidal and saline habitat by non-intervention
CCT4: Create Intertidal and saline on arable
CCT3: Manage coastal saltmarsh
CCT8: Manage and restore coastal sand dune
CSW18: Raise water levels in grassland 31-50cm
CSW20: Raise water levels in grassland 10-30cm

You cannot do this action:

on scrapes or gutters paid for using CSHT action WN2: Creation of scrapes and gutters, in the first 5 years after applying for WN2
where management of scrapes and gutters would cause damage to the habitat or other features of interest, such as historic or archaeological sites

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Less than your selected base action. You must only include the physical area of the scrape or gutter.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain scrapes and gutters to expose bare soil, usually every 3 to 5 years by methods agreed with your Natural England adviser
maintain scrapes and gutters so they have a suitable size, shape, depth and profile for the target species agreed with your Natural England adviser

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

manage water levels so that scrapes and gutters provide areas of seasonal shallow water with wet and muddy edges
maintain scrapes with an irregular shape to maximise the length of edge
leave the surface of scrapes rough
maintain scrapes and gutters between the dates agreed with your Natural England adviser

You must not:

carry out work when ground nesting birds are present
use spoil to fill hollows or low areas
leave spoil to form a bund or bank around a scrape or gutter (unless agreed with your Natural England adviser)
place spoil on areas of high soil erosion or where there’s potential for run-off
place spoil where it could damage historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements:

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CGS16: Rush control supplement (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£95 per hectare (ha) per year – you must only include the area within the land parcel entered into your selected base action which has dense and continuous rush cover at the start of this supplemental action’s duration.

The area of rush cover will be reduced by doing this supplemental action. Your payment will still be based on the area that had dense and continuous rush cover at the start of this supplemental action’s duration.

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to reduce the cover of rush on land where there’s a heavy infestation.

The purpose of this is to:

help prevent the loss of species-rich wet grasslands
provide suitable habitats for wildfowl and wading birds

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base actions:

CGS26: Manage grassland with very low inputs
CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland
CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders
CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl
CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features
CUP2: Manage rough grazing for birds
CWD22: Manage wood pasture
CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland
CWD20: Create wood pasture

You can only do this supplemental action on land where there’s continuous cover of rush over more than half of the land parcel entered into the base action at the time of your application.

Eligible land

Same as base action

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this supplemental action, you must:

reduce the cover of dense rush growth to less than 30% or to the levels stated in the base action and agreed with your Natural England adviser
manage dense rush by cutting and grazing so that it’s predominantly short by autumn (as agreed with a Natural England adviser)
keep bare ground to a minimum, to reduce the risk of new rushes becoming established

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to spot treat or weed wipe areas of dense rush.

You must not cut or weed-wipe rushes if ground nesting birds are present (typically between March and July).

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

receipted invoices
consents or permissions connected with the work
field operations at the parcel level
records of grazing activity
photographs of the management undertaken

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

obtain the necessary consents from the Environment Agency before starting any work such as herbicide use near water courses
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can apply for capital itemsto help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CGS23: Haymaking supplement (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£157 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that you make field-dried hay to allow wildflowers and grasses to flower and set seed.

The purpose of this is to:

help to conserve plants in traditionally managed hay meadows
provide pollen and nectar for bees and other insects
improve water quality
maintain traditional landscape character

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:

CGS26: Manage grassland with very low inputs
CBE4: Manage traditional orchards
CBE5: Create traditional orchards
CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland
CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features
CWD22: Manage wood pasture
CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland
CWD20: Create wood pasture
CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders
CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

make field dried hay by turning and wilting
remove all cuttings
graze the aftermath or take a second cut if grazing is not possible

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

leave an uncut margin around the edge of the field as a refuge for invertebrates and small mammals – you can rotate this uncut area
remove livestock for an agreed period of time before cutting
not cut or top before agreed dates for 1 year out of 5 years

You must not cut hay before the end of June, or at a later date agreed with your Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CGS24: Haymaking supplement (late cut) (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£187 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that you make field-dried hay to allow wildflowers and grasses to flower and set seed.

The purpose of this is to:

support later flowering plant species
allow wading birds (such as curlew) to nest successfully
help to conserve plants seen in traditionally managed hay meadows
provide pollen and nectar for bees and other insects
improve water quality
maintain traditional landscape character

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:

CBE4 Manage traditional orchards
CBE5 Create traditional orchards
CGS26 Manage grassland with very low inputs
CGS22 Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland
CGS21 Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features
CWD22 Manage wood pasture
CWD21 Restore wood pasture and parkland
CWD20 Create wood pasture
CGS20 Manage wet grassland for breeding waders
CGS19 Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

make field dried hay by turning and wilting
remove all cuttings
graze the aftermath or take a second cut if grazing is not possible

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

leave an uncut margin around the edge of the field as a refuge for invertebrates and small mammals – you can rotate this uncut area
remove livestock for an agreed period of time before cutting
not cut or top before agreed dates for 1 year out of 5 years

You must not cut hay before mid-July or a later date agreed with your Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP2: Manage rough grazing for birds (T1)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£121 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This aim of this action is to maintain rough grassland so there are:

a sward that has a range of heights
areas of very short grass for bird feeding and nesting from the spring
areas of surface water and wet features such as drains, grips or scrapes during autumn and winter
a minimal amount of scrub, bracken and dense rush

The purpose of this is to provide habitats for upland breeding birds and other wildlife.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this action on permanent grassland located within a less favoured area (LFA) below the moorland line. The land must be:

designated as upland breeding bird areas for Countryside Stewardship on the MAGIC website (priority species for Countryside Stewardship targeting is not eligible)
adjacent to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) – you can find this on the MAGIC website
designated high or medium priority on the Flood Risk Management Priorities (England) data layer on the MAGIC website
adjacent to or includes a watercourse
part of the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme – you must be able to provide evidence of this from the relevant Peat Partnership
located in other areas suitable for upland breeding birds – you must be able to provide evidence of this and agree suitability with your Natural England adviser

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Compatible land cover	Eligible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel between 2ha and 25ha in size.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

graze according to your stocking calendar
manage wet features to provide muddy and wet areas for wildfowl and wading birds to feed by rotating mechanical maintenance
allow grazing to the water’s edge

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

control and manage scrub by cutting or grazing to provide appropriate levels of scrub for the grassland habitat
top or harrow grassland to provide a sward mosaic
provide areas of bare ground
maintain cover (not bracken) over historic or archaeological features
control dense rush by grazing or cutting each year so it covers no more than 20% of the area
remove livestock from some areas
carry out any mechanical operations that may disturb breeding or non-breeding birds between July and October
cut any ungrazed vegetation on a 2-year rotation between August and mid-March
from year 2 of your agreement, maintain ditch water levels to create areas of standing water

You must not:

apply fertilisers or manures except when agreed with your Natural England adviser
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
carry out works on water features or ditches between April and the end of August
supplementary feed except for the use of mineral blocks or other forms of feed if agreed by a Natural England adviser
carry out any mechanical operations on historic or archaeological features
allow bracken to spread
cut bracken between mid-March and mid-July
erect permanent fencing around any water features
carry out drainage works without written permission from your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

a stocking calendar
a count of breeding birds in year 5 of the agreement
photographs of the extent of bracken on the action area before works start
field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
stock records to show grazing activity on parcels

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC2, OFM2, OFM3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20
CS options	OR2, OT2, OT6,
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study, such as a PA1 or PA2, with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 7

Heritage

Accepted Answer

CHS2: Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation (T6)

CHS3: Reduce cultivation depths on historic and archaeological features (T5)

CHS4: Control scrub on historic and archaeological features (T5)

CHS5: Manage historic and archaeological features on grassland (T5)

CHS6: Maintain designed or engineered waterbodies (T5)

CHS7: Manage historic water meadows through traditional irrigation (T5)

CHS9: Restrict crop establishment depth on historic and archaeological features (T5)

CHS2: Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£613 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim is to change land use from arable or permanent cropping to permanent undisturbed grassland to prevent cultivation damaging historic and archaeological features. Throughout the year, there should be a continuous grass or flower mixture growing over the historic and archaeological feature and minimal scrub and bracken growth.

The purpose of this is to:

prevent the damage of below ground or above ground historic and archaeological features
reduce diffuse pollution
reduce soil erosion
maintain landscape character
improve carbon storage

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that:

is identified as containing an historic or archaeological feature on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)
contains a historic or archaeological feature identified by you and agreed with a Natural England adviser

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England or Historic England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish a grass/flower mixture by shallow minimum till (‘min till’) cultivation or re-seed temporary grassland by slot seeding – agree a method with your Natural England adviser
once the mix is established, maintain it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim

You must not:

plough on earthworks when establishing grass or flower mixtures
harrow or roll
supplementary feed on or within 6m of the historic or archaeological feature
allow scrub or bracken growth to establish on the area of this action
carry out drainage works, including modifying existing drainage, without written permission from Natural England
locate vehicle or stock access routes within around 6m of the historic or archaeological feature (existing surfaced tracks can be used)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at the parcel level
associated invoices

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	OFC1, OFM1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
get advice from your Natural England adviser, Forestry Commission woodland officer, Historic England adviser or local authority adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

You can manage any historic and archaeological features you identify that are not listed on your HEFER under this action (if agreed with your Natural England adviser).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CHS3: Reduce cultivation depths on historic and archaeological features (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£115 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to reduce damage to historic or archaeological features under cultivation. You can do this by using non-inversion (minimum tillage) machinery and shallower cultivation depths.

The purpose of this is to:

prevent damage to below ground historic or archaeological features
improve soil health

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

identified as containing a historic or archaeological feature on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)
contains an historic or archaeological feature identified by you, and agreed with a Natural England adviser

You cannot use this action on land where:

historic or archaeological earthworks survive
soil loss or erosion occurs or there is a risk of soil erosion

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your land management activities will be in your agreement. Your Natural England or Historic England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must use non-inversion machinery to reduce cultivation depths to 15cm deep or less for actions including:

tillage
soil management
planting
harvesting

You must not grow the following crops on the historic or archaeological feature:

maize
lucerne
root and tuber crops (excluding non-harvestable root crops such as grazed fodder beet and forage turnips)
short rotation coppice
miscanthus

You also must not:

carry out drainage works, including modifying existing drainage, without written permission from Natural England before work starts
locate vehicle or stock access routes on or within 6 metres of the historic archaeological feature (you can use existing surfaced tracks)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices such as seed invoice photograph
map of access tracks

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, SOH2, SOH3, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, OFA6, CAHL2, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, PRF1, PRF2, PRF4, CIGL2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, IPM3, IPM4, AHL2, IGL2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW17, CSW19
CS options	AB10, AB11, AB14, AB4, AB7, OP5, OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4, SW6
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England
get Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
get advice from your Historic England, Natural England adviser or local authority if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

You can manage any historic and archaeological features you identify that are not listed on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER) under this action (if agreed with your Natural England).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CHS4: Control scrub on historic and archaeological features (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£215 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s a well-managed, intact grass sward growing over the historic or archaeological feature throughout the year. You should aim for minimal scrub cover and bare ground.

The purpose of this is to:

protect historic or archaeological features
reduce the risk of root damage to historic or archaeological features
reduce diffuse pollution and soil erosion, depending on the site’s location
help maintain and conserve landscape character

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that contains more than 5% scrub cover and is:

identified as containing a historic or archaeological feature on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)
contains an historic or archaeological feature identified by you, and agreed with a Natural England adviser

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser, Forestry Commission woodland officer or Historic England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

prevent scrub encroachment on historic or archaeological features
reduce scrub on historic or archaeological features by 75% over the first 3 years of your agreement – remove 25% of scrub each year between the start of January and the end of February or the start of October and the end of December
remove cuttings and brash and control any re-growth
position vehicle or stock access routes at least 6m away from the historic or archaeological feature
maintain a continuous grass sward or vegetation cover over historic or archaeological features with minimal bare batches and erosion (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)
make sure that any mature trees felled will fall away from the feature
plan work so that extraction routes, bonfire sites, timber processing and storage sites are away from the feature

You must not:

plough, cultivate or re-seed
harrow or roll
supplementary feed within 6m of the historic or archaeological feature
grub out stumps and roots

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
other documentation

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD2, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CSW18, CSW20
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2, UP1, WD2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
consent from the Environment Agency or other responsible bodies for works on hydrological structures

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
get advice from your Historic England, Natural England adviser or local authority if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

You can manage any historic and archaeological features you identify that are not listed on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER) under this action (if agreed with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CHS5: Manage historic and archaeological features on grassland (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£55 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that you maintain a well-managed, intact grass sward or area of vegetation throughout the year covering the historic or archaeological feature.

The purpose of this is to:

cover and protect archaeological features
have minimal bare ground, scrub, bracken or pernicious weeds on and around the historical or archaeological feature
help maintain and conserve landscape character

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

identified as containing a historic or archaeological feature on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)
contains an historic or archaeological feature identified by you, and agreed with a Natural England adviser

You cannot do this action on land parcels of more than 15ha above the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser, Forestry Commission woodland officer or Historic England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

position vehicle or stock access routes at least 6m away from the historic or archaeological feature
maintain a continuous grass sward or vegetation cover over historic and archaeological features with minimal bare batches and erosion (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)
have no more than 5% cover of scrub, bracken or pernicious weeds on the historic or archaeological feature

You must not:

plough, cultivate or re-seed
harrow or roll
supplementary feed within 6m of the historic or archaeological feature

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
other documentation

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CMOR1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CSW18, CSW20
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
get advice from your Historic England, Natural England adviser or local authority if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

You can manage any historic and archaeological features you identify that are not listed on your HEFER under this action (if agreed with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CHS6: Maintain designed or engineered waterbodies (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£2,512 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that throughout the year, there’ll be a permanent grass buffer strip around a designed or engineered waterbody, and associated features such as leats and culverts will be maintained. Areas of bare ground, scrub and undesirable species must be managed appropriately.

The purpose of this is to:

protect the banks and associated water control features of designed or engineered historic waterbodies
maintain or strengthen water control features
conserve the character of the waterbody
help to maintain and conserve landscape character

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on:

waterbodies with an artificially retained area of open standing water
the banks of the waterbody and buffer strips around associated features (such as leats and culverts).

You cannot do this action on:

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser, Forestry Commission woodland officer or Historic England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

retain the depth, shape, profile and design of the built water body and associated engineering
manage an agreed percentage of scrub and species
establish or maintain a permanently vegetated buffer strip at least 4m wide on the perimeter or bank of the main water body
establish or maintain a permanently vegetated buffer strip at least 2m wide around features relating to the water body such as leats, dams and sluices outside the 4m buffer strip
carry out maintenance works and minor repairs on structural historic or archaeological features on a like-for-like basis to retain the character of the feature in its local setting – for example if non-traditional materials were used to repair a structure, you must continue to use that material
manage the buffer strips to control woody growth and make sure there’s no more than 5% bare ground
manage vegetation so that no more than 25% of the water surface is in permanent shade

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to complete a structures maintenance record at least once a year to record any repair and maintenance work.

You must not put up any new fences.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

structural maintenance plan
field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	OFC1, OFM1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OT1, WD2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Historic England, Natural England adviser or local authority if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
get listed building consent from your local authority to work on a listed structure as part of this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CHS7: Manage historic water meadows through traditional irrigation (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£863 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to protect historic water meadows and landscape character by maintaining:

‘bedwork’ and ‘catch’ water meadows using traditional irrigation systems
habitat and water quality

The purpose of this is to:

keep historic water meadows in a stable condition
maintain a working water meadow system with structurally sound water control features
conserve the character of the farm and historic land use patterns

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land located below the moorland line that’s a traditional water meadow. This is where land is irrigated through a system of inlet and outlet channels.

You cannot use this action on meadows:

that flood naturally and do not have control structures, such as sluices and hatches to regulate water levels
where water cannot be controlled – water needs to flow evenly across the meadow at up to 25 millimetres (mm) in depth when drowned

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

float or drown the meadow for an agreed period of time each year
manage an agreed percentage of scrub and species
maintain the gutters, carriers or channels to encourage an even film of water approximately 25mm deep to flow over the sward
maintain and repair the water control structures on a like for like basis, such as sluices, weirs and hatches, and keep a record of the work
manage the meadow by grazing or hay cutting once the land has dried out
only allow vehicular access on routes agreed with your Natural England adviser

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to complete a structures maintenance record on the water control structures and associated leats drains and gutters at least once a year to record any repair and maintenance work.

You must not:

apply any fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
create new tracks for vehicular access
harrow or roll
work on the gutters, carriers or channels during late spring and summer
plough, cultivate or re-seed
remove, replace or relocate historic structures

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

a map showing existing tracks and routes
photographs of the state of the water meadow and its structural, historic and archaeological features before works start and after the work is complete
before and after photographs of all maintenance works and minor repairs
stock grazing records
receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
consents or permissions connected with the work records of management activity on the action area for each parcel
structural maintenance plan

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
consent from the Environment Agency or other responsible bodies for works on hydrological structures

You may need to:

get listed building consent from your local authority to work on a listed structure
agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Historic England, Natural England adviser or local authority if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CHS9: Restrict crop establishment depth on historic and archaeological features (T5)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£257 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to prevent damage to historic and archaeological features under cultivation. You can do this by using shallower cultivation depths and direct drilling where subtle earthwork survive, combined with cover crops to improve the resilience of soil structure to compaction, erosion and weed burdens.

The purpose of this is to:

prevent damage to below-ground historic and archaeological features
improve soil health

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

identified as containing a historic or archaeological feature on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)
contains an historic or archaeological feature identified by you, and agreed with a Natural England adviser

You cannot use this action on parcels at risk of soil erosion or runoff. Your Natural England or Historic England adviser will confirm which areas are suitable.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England or Historic England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

ensure all work involving tillage, soil management, planting and harvesting does not go deeper than 15cm
use a direct drill system where historic or archaeological earthworks are known to survive
plant a cover crop for at least one of the 5 years of your agreement
locate vehicle or stock access routes at least 6m away from the historic and archaeological feature

You must not:

use equipment trains that are longer than 6m
carry out drainage works, including modifying existing drainage, without written permission from your Natural England adviser

You must not grow the following crops on the action area:

maize
lucerne
root and tuber crops (excluding non-harvestable root crops such as grazed fodder beet and forage turnips)
short rotation coppice
miscanthus

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, SOH2, SOH3, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, OFA6, CAHL2, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, IPM3, IPM4, AHL2, IGL2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW17, CSW19
CS options	AB10, AB11, AB14, AB4, AB7, OP5, OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Historic England, Natural England adviser or local authority if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

You can manage any historic and archaeological features you identify that are not listed on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER) under this action (if agreed with your Natural England).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 8

Integrated pest management

Accepted Answer

CAB18: Flower-rich grass margins, blocks, or in-field strips (on arable land or permanent crops) (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£798 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s an established multi-annual flower-rich grass mix which:

is growing in margins, blocks or in-field strips
produces flowering plants during spring and summer months, into until early autumn

The purpose of this is to:

encourage natural crop pest predators as part of an integrated pest management approach, if located close to cropped areas
provide habitat and foraging sites for invertebrates including natural crop pest predators, wild pollinators such as bumblebees, solitary bees, butterflies and hoverflies, and farmland birds

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action can be rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action every year
keep it at the same location

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish flower-rich margins or plot or in-field strips using a seed mix agreed with you Natural England adviser
manage the plot as agreed with your Natural England adviser which could include cutting and grazing

You must not:

use the plots for regular vehicular access, turning or storage (for example, storing bales or machinery)
apply any fertilisers and manures
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

In the final year of this action’s duration, you must do this action until the agreement end date or this action’s end date, whichever is earlier.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
details of seed mix
photographs
records of stock grazing on the parcel (if you manage the plot with grazing livestock)

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR3, OR4, OR5, OT3, OT4, OT5
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 9

Lowland heath

Accepted Answer

CLH1: Manage lowland heathland (T5)

CLH2: Restore lowland heathland (T5)

CLH3: Create lowland heathland (T5)

CUP18: Manage features for wildfire management (fire and fuel breaks) supplement (T1)

CLH1: Manage lowland heathland (T5)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£412 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage existing lowland heathland so there’s a diverse mosaic of vegetation, including:

undisturbed bare ground
varied vegetation and scattered native trees of different ages

The purpose is to deliver benefits for biodiversity, including rarer invertebrates, birds, reptiles and plants.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land that’s:

lowland heathland priority habitat, including areas of acid grassland mixed with heathland
located below the moorland line

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

graze or cut the vegetation to create a wide age range and varied structure
manage trees, scrub and bracken to provide areas for birds to nest or shelter and encourage a diverse habitat
provide some bare ground cover to benefit the range of species using the heath
carry out hydrological restoration where necessary, such as reversing drainage, damming ditches or blocking drains

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to manage gorse. This is to maintain a range of ages and classes of western or European gorse.

You must not:

plough, cultivate or re-seed, unless agreed
apply fertilisers, manures or lime
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
create bare ground on historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration. You should avoid the bird nesting season when controlling scrub.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC2, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR2, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need:

to get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
to get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
consent from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) (where necessary) before starting any hydrological work

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CLH2: Restore lowland heathland (T5)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£311 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to restore lowland heathland on forested land or woodland that has a diverse mosaic of vegetation, including:

undisturbed bare ground
varied vegetation and scattered native trees of different ages

The purpose is to deliver benefits for biodiversity (including rarer invertebrates), birds, reptiles and plants.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land located below the moorland line that has established tree cover and acidic soils and where historic maps show heathland was once present. A Natural England adviser will confirm if this is the most appropriate action for your land.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You cannot do this action on:

areas of heathland with scattered native trees and scrub
woodland being cleared on grassland areas

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

remove trees, scrub and any accumulated deep litter layer to encourage regeneration of heath species from the seed bank
graze or cut the colonising vegetation to create a wide age range and varied structure
provide small areas of bare ground to benefit the range of species using the heath
manage undesirable species such as thistles, willowherbs and bramble so they do not dominate and are kept to a minimum
manage trees, scrub and bracken to provide areas for birds to nest or shelter and encourage a diverse habitat
maintain an agreed level of native tree and scrub cover
carry out hydrological restoration where necessary, such as reversing drainage, damming ditches or blocking drains

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to manage gorse. This is to maintain a range of ages and classes of Western or European gorse.

You must not:

plough, cultivate or re-seed, unless agreed
apply fertilisers, manures or lime
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
create bare ground on historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration. You should avoid the bird nesting season when controlling scrub.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC2, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR2, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need:

get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
to get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Forestry Commission
to apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
consent from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) (where necessary) before starting any hydrological work

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CLH3: Create lowland heathland (T5)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£711 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to create lowland heathland on arable or grassland sites that has a diverse mosaic of vegetation, including:

undisturbed bare ground
varied vegetation and scattered native trees of different ages

The purpose is to deliver benefits for:

biodiversity, including rarer invertebrates, birds, reptiles and plants
water quality

Where you can do this action

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You should only create lowland heathland on naturally acidic land located below the moorland line, where an appropriate grassland action is not possible. A Natural England adviser will confirm if this is the most appropriate action for your land.

You cannot do this action on deep peat soils.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

encourage colonisation by using heather seed or cuttings
graze or cut the colonising vegetation to create a wide age range and varied structure
provide some bare ground cover, to benefit the range of species using the heath
manage undesirable species, such as thistles, willowherbs and bramble so they do not dominate and are kept to a minimum
manage trees, scrub and bracken to provide areas for birds to nest or shelter and encourage a diverse habitat
maintain an agreed level of native tree and scrub cover
carry out hydrological restoration where necessary, such as reversing drainage by damming ditches or blocking drains

You must not:

plough, cultivate or re-seed, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
apply fertilisers, manures or lime
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless it’s during periods of extreme weather
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
create bare ground on historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration. You should avoid the bird nesting season when controlling scrub.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need:

to get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
to get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Forestry Commission
to apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
consent from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) (where necessary) before starting any hydrological work

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP18: Manage features for wildfire management (fire and fuel breaks) supplement (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£137 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to maintain firebreaks or fuel breaks to create a gap in vegetation or combustible material to help slow or stop the progress of wildfire.

The purpose of this is to provide a strategic break in habitats to suppress wildfire.

Firebreaks are generally mown linear gaps in vegetation or other combustible material that reduce the spread of surface fires.

Fuel breaks are scraped gaps in vegetation where litter and organic materials are removed to expose mineral soils.

This supplemental action will only pay for maintenance of man-made (not natural) firebreaks or fuel breaks.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land with any the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base actions:

CWD2: Woodland improvement
CLH1: Manage lowland heathland
CLH2: Restore lowland heathland
CLH3: Create lowland heathland

You can only do this action on:

woodland that has a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
lowland heathland that has a heathland management plan agreed with Natural England
a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special area of conservation (SAC) or special protection area (SPA) that has an existing consent or assent from Natural England

You cannot do this supplemental action:

on peat soils more than 10 centimetres (cm) in depth
on areas where there’s water flow through surface soils for fuel breaks
within 6 metres (m) of a historic or archaeological feature identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)
where it will damage peat exposures or other sensitive soils

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain firebreaks or fuel breaks annually
for firebreaks, keep the vegetation height low each year – you’ll agree the vegetation height and area of the firebreak with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer
for fuel breaks, scrape down to mineral soil each year as specified in your agreement

When to do it

You’ll need to carry out the management activities at the frequency agreed by your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer for the duration of the action.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
records of all management activity including photographs

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

consent from Natural England or the Forestry Commission for any activity on land designated as a SSSI
a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan, which may include a felling licence
a Natural England approved heathland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments

You may need to:

get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Defra and its delivery bodies, including Natural England and the Forestry Commission, exempt itself of any and all liability in the event of wildfire. Wildfires are necessarily unpredictable events and Defra and its delivery bodies aim to minimise the likelihood of them occurring (or the damage of the same if such an event occurs) but do not and cannot exclude the possibility of a wildfire taking place. The condition of your land and its susceptibility to the risk of wildfire is a matter for which you as a farmer or landowner are solely responsible and liable.

For the avoidance of doubt, Defra and its delivery bodies shall not be liable for any consequential, indirect or special loss nor for any of the following (whether direct or indirect): loss of property, loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of data, damage to profit, loss of use, loss of production, loss of contract, loss of commercial opportunity, loss of business, harm to reputation, or loss of goodwill and/or wasted expenditure.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 10

Lowland peat

Accepted Answer

CSW17: Raise water levels in cropped or arable peat soils to near the land surface (T4)

CSW19: Raise water levels in cropped or arable peat soils (T4)

CSW18: Raise water levels in permanent grassland peat soils to near the land surface (T4)

CSW20: Raise water levels in permanent grassland peat soils (T4)

CSW17: Raise water levels in cropped or arable peat soils to near the land surface (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,409 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to raise the water level throughout the year on cropped or arable land with lowland peat soils to between 10 and 30 centimetres (cm) below the mean field surface level all year around.

The purpose is to reduce:

the degradation of lowland peat soils
greenhouse gas emissions

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Land is eligible if confirmed as lowland peat in a feasibility study or implementation plan and with support from Natural England.

You cannot do this action:

where it would damage priority habitats, protected species or features of archaeological, historic or landscape value, unless you can take approved measures to mitigate this
where it may increase the risk of flooding or waterlogging outside the agreement area
where it could damage third party land or buildings, infrastructure or other assets
if there are conflicts with public access or other uses of the land that cannot be resolved

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain water levels throughout the year to between 10cm and 30cm below the mean field surface level, across the land entered into the action by the second year of your agreement
install dip wells within the first year of your agreement
record water levels from dip wells each month

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, WBD3, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, OFA1, OFA6, AHW6, AHW8, AHW10, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIPM3, CIPM4, HEF4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, IPM3, IPM4, AHL4, IGL3, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CHS3, CHS9, CWT1, CWT2, CAB2, CAB7, CAB14
CS options	AB14, AB2, AB7, HS3, HS9, OP1, OP5, OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4, SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW6, WT1, WT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement
get planning consent or permission to divert a public right of way from your local planning authority, if your agreement requires building or removing a flood defence bank
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW19: Raise water levels in cropped or arable peat soils (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£892 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to raise the water level throughout the year on cropped or arable land with lowland peat soils to between 31 and 50 centimetres (cm) below the mean field surface all year around.

The purpose is to:

reduce the degradation of lowland peat soils
reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Land is eligible if confirmed as lowland peat in a feasibility study or implementation plan and with support from Natural England.

You cannot do this action:

where it would damage priority habitats, protected species or features of archaeological, historic or landscape value, unless you can take approved measures to mitigate this
where it may increase the risk of flooding or waterlogging outside the agreement area
where it could damage third party land or buildings, infrastructure or other assets
if there are conflicts with public access or other uses of the land that cannot be resolved

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain water levels between 31cm and 50cm below the mean field surface level, across the land entered into the action, all year round by the second year of your agreement
install dip wells within the first year of your agreement
record water levels from dip wells each month

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, WBD3, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, OFA1, OFA6, AHW6, AHW8, AHW10, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIPM3, CIPM4, HEF4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, IPM3, IPM4, AHL4, IGL3, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CHS3, CHS9, CWT1, CWT2, CAB2, CAB7, CAB14
CS options	AB14, AB2, AB7, HS3, HS9, OP1, OP5, OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4, SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW6, WT1, WT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser – a plan or feasibility study should include a flood risk assessment (if required)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain the necessary consents and water resource licences from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) as appropriate before undertaking any works – for example, abstraction licence, impoundment licence or transfer licence from the Environment Agency

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get planning consent or permission to divert a public right of way from your local planning authority, if your agreement requires building or removing a flood defence bank
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW18: Raise water levels in permanent grassland peat soils to near the land surface (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,381 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to raise the water level throughout the year on permanent grassland with lowland peat soils to between 10 and 30 centimetres (cm) below the mean field surface all year around.

The purpose is to:

reduce the degradation of lowland peat soils
reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on lowland peat on permanent grassland that’s located below the moorland line.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Land is eligible if confirmed as lowland peat in a feasibility study or implementation plan and with support from Natural England.

You cannot do this action:

where it would damage priority habitats, protected species or features of archaeological, historic or landscape value, unless you can take approved measures to mitigate this
where it may increase the risk of flooding or waterlogging outside the agreement area
where it could damage third party land or buildings, infrastructure or other assets
if there are conflicts with public access or other uses of the land that cannot be resolved

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain water levels between 10cm and 30cm below mean field surface level, across the land entered into the action, all year round by the second year of your agreement
install dip wells within the first year of your agreement
record water levels from dip wells each month

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CIGL3, BFS3, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, PRF2, CLIG3, HEF5, HEF6, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CGS21, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CHS4, CHS5, CWT1
CS options	GS13, GS2, GS3, GS5, HS4, HS5, OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2, SW2, WT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser – a plan or feasibility study should include a flood risk assessment (if required)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain the necessary consents and water resource licences from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) as appropriate before undertaking any works – for example, abstraction licence, impoundment licence or transfer licence from the Environment Agency

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get planning consent or permission to divert a public right of way from your local planning authority, if your agreement requires building or removing a flood defence bank
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW20: Raise water levels in permanent grassland peat soils (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£840 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to raise the water level throughout the year on permanent grassland with lowland peat soils to between 31 and 50 centimetres (cm) below the mean field surface all year around.

The purpose is to:

reduce the degradation of lowland peat soils
reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on lowland peat on permanent grassland that’s located below the moorland line:

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Land is eligible if confirmed as lowland peat in a feasibility study or implementation plan and with support from Natural England.

You cannot do this action:

where it would damage priority habitats, protected species or features of archaeological, historic or landscape value, unless you can take approved measures to mitigate this
where it may increase the risk of flooding or waterlogging outside the agreement area
where it could damage third party land or buildings, infrastructure or other assets
if there are conflicts with public access or other uses of the land that cannot be resolved

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land use code	Compatible land cover
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain water levels between 31cm and 50cm below the mean field surface level, across the land entered into the action, all year round by the second year of your agreement
install dip wells within the first year of your agreement
record water levels from dip wells each month

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CIGL3, BFS3, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, PRF2, PRF3, CLIG3, HEF5, HEF6, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CGS21, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CHS4, CHS5, CWT1
CS options	GS13, GS2, GS3, GS5, HS4, HS5, OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2, SW2, WT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser – a plan or feasibility study should include a flood risk assessment (if required)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain the necessary consents and water resource licences from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) as appropriate before undertaking any works –for example, abstraction licence, impoundment licence or transfer licence from the Environment Agency

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get planning consent or permission to divert a public right of way from your local planning authority, if your agreement requires building or removing a flood defence bank
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 11

Moorland

Accepted Answer

CUP3: General moorland management (T1)

CUP8: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland (T1)

CUP9: Low livestock grazing on moorland (T1)

CUP10: Limited livestock grazing on moorland (T1)

CUP11: Shepherding livestock on moorland (no required stock removal period) (T1)

CUP12: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 4 months) (T1)

CUP13: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 6 months) (T1)

CUP14: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 8 months) (T1)

CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement (T1)

CUP15: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 30% GLU) (T1)

CUP16: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland (minimum 70% GLU) supplement (T1)

CUP17: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland (100% GLU) supplement (T1)

CUP3: General moorland management (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£55 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to:

follow best practice management on moorland
prevent degradation

The purpose of this is to:

support habitats and species recovery
protect historic and archaeological features
improve the landscape character

Where you can do this action:

You can do this action on agricultural land located above the moorland line.

If a land parcel is located above and below the moorland line, you can enter it into this action if:

most of the area is above the moorland line
it’s managed as one grazing unit with adjacent land parcels located above the moorland line

This action can only be used in combination with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier moorland management actions:

CUP8: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
CUP9: Low livestock grazing on moorland
CUP10: Limited livestock grazing on moorland
CUP15: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 30% GLU)
CUP16: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 70% GLU)
CUP17: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (100% GLU)
CUP11: Shepherding livestock on moorland (no required stock removal period)
CUP12: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 4 months)
CUP13: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 6 months)
CUP14: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 8 months)

You can do this action on moorland that:

is above the stockproof boundary of enclosed semi-natural vegetation, such as allotments, intakes or newtakes
contains one or more moorland priority habitats or species – unless you’re using this action in combination with CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement, then the moorland does not need to contain priority habitats or species

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Bracken, heather and heathland	Bracken heather and heathland	HE02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may need to:

agree a moorland habitat plan with your Natural England adviser for any cutting or burning of heather, rough grass, bracken, gorse or vaccinium
control dense rush so it does not cover more than an agreed area of land
control scrub and bracken on the moorland so they do not become dominant vegetation, particularly on historic or archaeological features

You must not:

apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
carry out mechanical operations or other activity that may disturb breeding or non-breeding birds during the breeding season (typically mid-March to late July)
maintain artificial drains
plough, cultivate or reseed, harrow or roll unless part of your agreement
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock unless permission for mineral licks is agreed with your Natural England adviser
apply any fertilisers, manures or lime (unless agreed with your Natural England adviser)
create new access for vehicles – you can only use agreed existing access routes

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

management activity on the action area for each parcel
receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
photographs of the extent of scrub and bracken on any historic and archaeological features on the site before works start

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CMOR1, HEF5
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1
CSHT actions	CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW25, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CHS4
CS options	HS4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser if you intend to carry out moorland restoration
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get a wildfire mitigation plan, if required
get a moorland habitat plan agreed with your Natural England adviser for any cutting or burning of heather, rough grass, bracken, gorse or vaccinium
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP8: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£20 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s a moderate livestock density grazing on the moorland, so its habitat is maintained or enhanced alongside farming.

The purpose of this is to:

prevent expansion of areas of bare ground
increase surface roughness
reduce diffuse pollution
improve water quality and flood risk management
provide habitats for moorland species
protect historic and archaeological features

Where you can do this action

You can only use this action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action CUP3: General moorland management.

You can do this action on moorland that:

is above the moorland line
is above the stockproof boundary of enclosed semi-natural vegetation, such as allotments, intakes or newtakes
contains one or more moorland priority habitats or species, unless also applying for CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement, where you do not need one or more priority habitats or species

If a land parcel is located above and below the moorland line, you can enter it into this action if:

most of the area is above the moorland line
it’s managed as one grazing unit with adjacent land parcels located above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must either:

agree with your Natural England adviser the maximum grazing livestock units (GLU) per hectare that will be on the moorland at any time (the maximum you can agree for this action is 0.16GLU per hectare (ha))
follow a stocking calendar (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

You must also keep a monthly record of stock numbers and shepherding activities on the land parcel entered into this action. You must record:

land parcel reference numbers
hectarage
dates you plan to graze during each calendar month
monthly numbers of livestock which will graze the land parcel, including their type and age bracket

If you manage several adjacent land parcels as one grazing unit, you can keep one stocking calendar for that grazing unit.

To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:

Cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
Cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
Heavy sheep (for example most lowland sheep, rams and larger hill sheep) – 0.12 GLU
Light sheep (for example store lambs and small hill sheep) – 0.08 GLU
Goat – 0.12 GLU
Pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
Horse – 1.0 GLU

You must not use supplementary feed for grazing livestock on land entered into this action, unless permission for mineral licks is agreed with your Natural England adviser.

Equivalent SFI action

UPL1: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland is the equivalent SFI action to CSHT. You can choose to use the SFI action if your land has no significant sensitive features and you do not need specialist advice to adapt it to your land. You will need to follow the SFI scheme information to apply.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CMOR1, HEF5
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW25, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CHS4
CS options	HS4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your relevant Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP9: Low livestock grazing on moorland (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£53 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s a low livestock density grazing on the moorland, so its habitat is maintained or enhanced alongside farming.

The purpose of this is to:

prevent expansion of areas of bare ground
increase surface roughness
reduce diffuse pollution
improve water quality and flood risk management
provide habitats for moorland species
protect historic and archaeological features

Where you can do this action

You can only use this action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action CUP3: General moorland management.

You can do this action on moorland that:

is above the moorland line
is above the stockproof boundary of enclosed semi-natural vegetation, such as allotments, intakes or newtakes
contains one or more moorland priority habitats or species, unless you’re also applying for CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement, where you do not need one or more priority habitats or species

If a land parcel is located above and below the moorland line, you can enter it into this action if:

most of the area is above the moorland line
it’s managed as one grazing unit with adjacent land parcels located above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must either:

agree with your Natural England adviser the maximum grazing livestock units (GLU) per hectare that will be on the moorland at any time (the maximum you can agree for this action is 0.08GLU per hectare (ha))
follow a stocking calendar (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

You must record:

land parcel reference numbers
hectarage
dates you plan to graze during each calendar month
monthly numbers of livestock which will graze the land parcel, including their type and age bracket

If you manage several adjacent land parcels as one grazing unit, you can keep one stocking calendar for that grazing unit.

To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:

Cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
Cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
Heavy sheep (for example most lowland sheep, rams and larger hill sheep) – 0.12 GLU
Light sheep (for example store lambs and small hill sheep) – 0.08 GLU
Goat – 0.12 GLU
Pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
Horse – 1.0 GLU

You must not use supplementary feed for grazing livestock on land entered into this action, unless permission for mineral licks is agreed with your Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CMOR1, HEF5
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW25, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CHS4
CS options	HS4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your relevant Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP10: Limited livestock grazing on moorland (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£66 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s limited livestock density grazing on the moorland, so its habitat is maintained or enhanced alongside farming.

The purpose of this is to:

prevent expansion of areas of bare ground
increase surface roughness
reduce diffuse pollution
improve water quality and flood risk management
provide habitats for moorland species
protect historic and archaeological features

Where you can do this action

You can only use this action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action CUP3: General moorland management.

You can do this action on moorland that:

is above the moorland line
is above the stockproof boundary of enclosed semi-natural vegetation, such as allotments, intakes or newtakes
contains one or more moorland priority habitats or species, unless you’re also applying for CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement, where you do not need one or more priority habitats or species

If a land parcel is located above and below the moorland line, you can enter it into this action if:

most of the area is above the moorland line
it’s managed as one grazing unit with adjacent land parcels located above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action you must either:

agree with your Natural England adviser the maximum grazing livestock units (GLU) per hectare that will be on the moorland at any time (the maximum you can agree for this action is 0.04GLU per hectare (ha))
follow a stocking calendar (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

You must also keep a monthly record of stock numbers and shepherding activities on the land parcel entered into this action. You must record:

land parcel reference numbers
hectarage
dates you plan to graze during each calendar month
monthly numbers of livestock which will graze the land parcel, including their type and age bracket

If you manage several adjacent land parcels as one grazing unit, you can keep one stocking calendar for that grazing unit.

To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:

Cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
Cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
Heavy sheep (for example most lowland sheep, rams and larger hill sheep) – 0.12 GLU
Light sheep (for example store lambs and small hill sheep) – 0.08 GLU
Goat – 0.12 GLU
Pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
Horse – 1.0 GLU

You must not use supplementary feed for grazing livestock on land entered into this action, unless permission for mineral licks is agreed with your Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CMOR1, HEF5,
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1,
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW25, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CHS4
CS options	HS4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your relevant Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP11: Shepherding livestock on moorland (no required stock removal period) (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£33 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that livestock grazing on moorland is managed to avoid affecting features that are sensitive to damage from grazing, wherever possible.

The purpose of this is to:

protect and improve habitats for birds, mammals and insects
reduce bare ground and soil erosion
improve water quality
protect historic and archaeological features

Sensitive features are areas on the moorland that can easily be damaged by grazing or poaching caused by livestock. They include:

bare ground, peat soils, gullies and steep slopes
vegetation on wet peaty areas – such as blanket bog, wet heath, upland flushes, fens and swamps
woody vegetation – such as fragmented heath, mountain heath and willow scrub, dry heath, long degenerate heather, deciduous woodland, and scrub
grassy vegetation – such as upland calcareous grassland, limestone pavement, purple moor-grass, rush pasture and Calaminarian grassland
historic or archaeological features, including scheduled monuments – these are identified on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record Portal (HEFER)

Where you can do this action

You can only use this action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action CUP3: General moorland management.

You can do this action on moorland that’s:

above the moorland line
above the stockproof boundary of enclosed semi-natural vegetation (such as allotments, intakes or newtakes)
contains one or more moorland priority habitats or species, unless you’re also applying for CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement, where you do not need one or more priority habitats or species

If a land parcel is located above and below the moorland line, you can enter it into this action if:

most of the area is above the moorland line
it’s managed as one grazing unit with adjacent land parcels located above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must take reasonable steps to minimise livestock’s access to ‘sensitive features’ when they’re on the moorland (as agreed with your adviser). You must do this by:

shepherding or herding them away with specific measures (such as using dogs or mineral licks) in specific areas and in specific months
using temporary fencing if that’s possible

You do not need to remove livestock from the moorland under this action, but you can choose to during lambing (for example).

You must not use supplementary feed for grazing livestock on land entered into this action, unless permission for mineral licks is agreed with your Natural England adviser. If you provide mineral licks, you must locate them on areas away from sensitive features.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

a record of shepherding or stocking activity
a map of the sensitive features
photographs of the management undertaken

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CMOR1, HEF5
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW25, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CHS4
CS options	HS4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP12: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 4 months) (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£43 per hectare (ha) per year.

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that livestock grazing on moorland is managed to avoid affecting features that are sensitive to damage from grazing, wherever possible.

The purpose is to:

protect and improve habitats for birds, mammals and insects
reduce bare ground and soil erosion
improve water quality
protect historic and archaeological features

Sensitive features are areas on the moorland that can easily be damaged by grazing or poaching caused by livestock. They include:

bare ground, peat soils, gullies and steep slopes
vegetation on wet peaty areas – such as blanket bog, wet heath, upland flushes, fens and swamps
woody vegetation – such as fragmented heath, mountain heath and willow scrub, dry heath, long degenerate heather, deciduous woodland, and scrub
grassy vegetation – such as upland calcareous grassland, limestone pavement, purple moor-grass, rush pasture and Calaminarian grassland
historic or archaeological features, including scheduled monuments – these are identified on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)

Where you can do this action

You can only use this action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action CUP3: General moorland management.

You can do this action on moorland that:

is above the moorland line
is above the stockproof boundary of enclosed semi-natural vegetation (such as allotments, intakes or newtakes)
contains one or more moorland priority habitats or species, unless you’re also applying for supplement CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement, where you do not need one or more habitats or species

If a land parcel is located above and below the moorland line, you can enter it into this action if:

most of the area is above the moorland line
it’s managed as one grazing unit with adjacent land parcels located above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must take reasonable steps to minimise livestock getting access to sensitive features when they are on moorland by:

shepherding or herding them away with specific measures (such as using dogs or mineral licks) in specific areas and in specific months
using temporary fencing if that’s possible

You must also either:

remove all livestock (except resident ponies) from land entered into this action for at least 4 consecutive calendar months
follow a stocking calendar which may include a map of livestock exclusion areas (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

‘Resident ponies’ means ponies which are traditionally kept on the moorland, such as Dartmoor or Exmoor ponies.

You must not use supplementary feed for grazing livestock on land entered into this action, unless permission for mineral licks is agreed with your Natural England adviser. If you provide mineral licks, you must locate them on areas away from sensitive features.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

a record of shepherding or stocking activity
a map of the sensitive features
photographs of the management undertaken

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CMOR1, HEF5
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW25, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CHS4
CS options	HS4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP13: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 6 months) (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£45 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that livestock grazing on moorland is managed to avoid affecting features that are sensitive to damage from grazing, wherever possible.

The purpose is to:

protect and improve habitats for birds, mammals and insects
reduce bare ground and soil erosion
improve water quality
protect historic and archaeological features

Sensitive features are areas on the moorland that can easily be damaged by grazing or poaching caused by livestock. They include:

bare ground, peat soils, gullies and steep slopes
vegetation on wet peaty areas – such as blanket bog, wet heath, upland flushes, fens and swamps
woody vegetation – such as fragmented heath, mountain heath and willow scrub, dry heath, long degenerate heather, deciduous woodland, and scrub
grassy vegetation – such as upland calcareous grassland, limestone pavement, purple moor-grass, rush pasture and Calaminarian grassland
historic or archaeological features, including scheduled monuments – these are identified on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)

Where you can do this action

You can only use this action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action CUP3: General moorland management.

You can do this action on moorland that:

is above the moorland line
is above the stockproof boundary of enclosed semi-natural vegetation (such as allotments, intakes or newtakes)
contains one or more moorland priority habitats or species, unless you’re also applying for CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement, where you do not need one or more priority habitats or species

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must take reasonable steps to minimise livestock getting access to sensitive features when they are on moorland by:

shepherding or herding them away with specific measures (such as using dogs or mineral licks) in specific areas and in specific months
using temporary fencing if it’s possible to do so

You must also either:

remove all livestock (except resident ponies) from land entered into this action for at least 6 consecutive calendar months
follow a stocking calendar which may include a map of livestock exclusion areas (as agreed with your Natural England)

‘Resident ponies’ means ponies which are traditionally kept on the moorland, such as Dartmoor or Exmoor ponies.

You must not use supplementary feeding for grazing livestock on land entered into this action, unless permission for mineral licks is agreed with your Natural England adviser. If you provide mineral licks, you must locate them on areas away from sensitive features.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

a record of shepherding or stocking activity
a map of the sensitive features
photographs of the management undertaken

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CMOR1, HEF5
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW25, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CHS4
CS options	HS4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP14: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 8 months) (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£48 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that livestock grazing on moorland is managed to avoid affecting features that are sensitive to damage from grazing, wherever possible.

The purpose is to:

protect and improve habitats for birds, mammals and insects
reduce bare ground and soil erosion
improve water quality
protect historic and archaeological features

Sensitive features are areas on the moorland that can easily be damaged by grazing or poaching caused by livestock. They include:

bare ground, peat soils, gullies and steep slopes
vegetation on wet peaty areas – such as blanket bog, wet heath, upland flushes, fens and swamps
woody vegetation – such as fragmented heath, mountain heath and willow scrub, dry heath, long degenerate heather, deciduous woodland, and scrub
grassy vegetation – such as upland calcareous grassland, limestone pavement, purple moor-grass, rush pasture and Calaminarian grassland
historic or archaeological features, including scheduled monuments – these are identified on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)

Where you can do this action

You can only use this action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action CUP3: General moorland management.

You can do this action on moorland that:

is above the moorland line
is above the stockproof boundary of enclosed semi-natural vegetation (such as allotments, intakes or newtakes)
contains one or more moorland priority habitats or species, unless you’re also applying for CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement, where you do not need one or more priority habitats or species

If a land parcel is located above and below the moorland line, you can enter it into this action if:

most of the area is above the moorland line
it’s managed as one grazing unit with adjacent land parcels located above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must take reasonable steps to minimise livestock getting access to sensitive features when they are on moorland by:

shepherding or herding them away with specific measures (such as using dogs or mineral licks) in specific areas and in specific months
using temporary fencing if that’s possible

You must also either:

remove all livestock (except resident ponies) from land entered into this action for at least 8 consecutive calendar months
follow a stocking calendar which may include a map of livestock exclusion areas (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

‘Resident ponies’ means ponies which are traditionally kept on the moorland, such as Dartmoor or Exmoor ponies.

You must not use supplementary feed for grazing livestock on land entered into this action, unless permission for mineral licks is agreed with your Natural England adviser. If you provide mineral licks, you must locate them on areas away from sensitive features.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

a record of shepherding or stocking activity
a map of the sensitive features
photographs of the management undertaken

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CMOR1, HEF5
SFI 2023 actions	MOR1
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW25, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CHS4
CS options	HS4
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP7: Manage non-peat moorland soils for flood and drought resilience supplement (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£160 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to:

carry out activities on your land to slow the flow of surface runoff from rainfall events
enable more water to be retained in the catchment

The purpose of this is to:

store more water for drought resilience
reduce flooding
reduce sediment losses from the land
improve water quality
increase ecological resilience

Where you can do this action

You can only use this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CUP3: General moorland management.

You can do this supplemental action within areas identified as either:

high priority for natural flood management
high priority (score of 5) for water resources recharge potential to support drought resilience by the Environment Agency – these are areas with the greatest potential for water to move through the soil and be stored within the ground water zone

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You cannot use this supplemental action on peat soils.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

create and maintain new topographical features throughout the action area to slow the flow and retain greater volumes of water for longer – these new features must cover at least 5% of the total land area
remove or disable artificial drainage of the land (for example ditches, drains, grips, rhynes, field drains and pipes)
remove non-biodegradable flood debris

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to remove soil compaction.

Where a site is proposed that sits below a body of peat in poor condition, you should take action to restore the peat before, or alongside, this supplement. Natural England will assess this as part of the implementation plan or feasibility study you are required to prepare before applying for this supplement.

When to do it

You must carry out the works in year 1 of your agreement.

You’ll need to carry out the management for the duration of your agreement with maintenance every third year on average.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

management activity on the action area for each parcel
receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this supplemental action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through CS capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP15: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 30% GLU) (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£7 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that at least 30% of the grazing livestock units (GLU) on moorland are cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.

The purpose of this is to:

create a more varied sward structure
control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
increase wildlife diversity

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base actions:

CUP8: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
CUP9: Low livestock grazing on moorland
CUP10: Limited livestock grazing on moorland

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must either:

have a minimum percentage of 30% of GLU grazing on land entered into the base action as cattle or ponies, or a combination of both
follow a stocking calendar (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including a written stocking calendar. You can record this on paper or electronically.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through CS capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP16: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland (minimum 70% GLU) supplement (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£18 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that at least 70% of the grazing livestock units (GLU) on moorland are cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.

The purpose of this is to:

create a more varied sward structure
control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
increase wildlife diversity

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base actions:

CUP8: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
CUP9: Low livestock grazing on moorland
CUP10: Limited livestock grazing on moorland

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must either:

have a minimum percentage of 70% of GLU grazing on land entered into the base action as cattle or ponies, or a combination of both
follow a stocking calendar (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including a written stocking calendar. You can record this on paper or electronically.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CUP17: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland (100% GLU) supplement (T1)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£23 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that all the grazing livestock units (GLU) on moorland are cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.

The purpose of this is to:

create a more varied sward structure
control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
increase wildlife diversity

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:

CUP8: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
CUP9: Low livestock grazing on moorland
CUP10: Limited livestock grazing on moorland

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must either:

have a minimum percentage of 100% of GLU grazing on land entered into the base action as cattle or ponies, or a combination of both
follow a stocking calendar (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)

When to do it

You must do this supplemental action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including a written stocking calendar. You can record this on paper or electronically.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 12

Nutrient management

Accepted Answer

CGS25: Legumes on improved grassland (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£102 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there are legumes growing from spring until early autumn.

The purpose of this is to:

manage nutrient efficiency
protect the soil surface
provide root growth that maintains soil structure, supports soil biology, and reduces nutrient leaching, soil erosion and runoff
support an integrated pest management approach if located close to cropped areas

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

You cannot do this action on:

Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh that is managed as improved grassland may be eligible for this action, if agreed with your Natural England adviser.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish a mixed sward of grasses and legumes in the first 12 months of the agreement
establish legumes by adding them to an existing grass sward or sowing a mix of grass and legumes
maintain the required area of the mixed sward for the length of your agreement

If you’re rotating this action around your farm for each year of your agreement, you must do it for a period of time that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC3, OFM1, OFM4, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4
CS options	OR1, OR3, OT1, OT3
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need: 

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER). 

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 13

Orchards

Accepted Answer

CBE4: Manage traditional orchards (T4)

CBE5: Create traditional orchards (T4)

CBE4: Manage traditional orchards (T4)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£264 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to maintain traditional orchards with:

a range of healthy young, mature and veteran fruit or nut trees, with young trees pruned to maintain their characteristic tree form
any standing, attached and fallen deadwood left undisturbed
a species-rich grass sward between the trees, with suitable sward heights and structure

The purpose is to:

provide a mosaic of trees and grassland which offers sources of food and shelter for wildlife, such as invertebrates and birds
maintain landscape character

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on traditional orchards:

For the purposes of this action, a ‘traditional orchard’ means groups of fruit or nut trees which are both:

from at least one of the eligible species
grown on vigorous rootstocks in permanent grassland

A traditional orchard must primarily consist of trees of the following species:

apple
pear
cherry
plum
damson
cobnut (a variety of hazelnut)
walnut

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

You can apply for TE18: Restorative pruning of traditional orchard trees under Capital Grants to carry out restorative pruning of unmanaged, mature trees.

To manage the sward, you must:

cut it or graze it with livestock (or a combination of both)
maintain a continuous grass cover over any historic or archaeological features, with minimal scrub, bracken and bare ground
manage scrub on the area in each land parcel
allow some wildflowers, sedges and grasses to flower and set seed in the spring and summer
leave some flower, sedge and grass seed heads undisturbed during the autumn and winter months
keep existing wet areas and ponds

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to agree a feasibility study or implementation plan to restore or create species-rich grassland in the orchard.

You must not:

apply fertilisers, manure or lime
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
plough, cultivate, harrow, roll or reseed, unless it’s to restore or enhance a grass sward for biodiversity
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
remove dead or dying trees to replant with new trees
carry out drainage works without written permission from your Natural England adviser
damage any historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

aerial photographs to show the location of trees
field operations at the parcel level
associated invoices

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM6, CMOR1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT5
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CBE5: Create traditional orchards (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£471 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to:

create a traditional orchard with healthy young fruit and nut trees, pruned to maintain their characteristic tree form
manage any existing mature and veteran trees to leave undisturbed standing, attached and fallen deadwood
retain a grass sward between the trees (once the orchard is created), with suitable sward heights and structure

The purpose is to:

provide a mosaic of trees and grassland which offers sources of food and shelter for wildlife, such as invertebrates and birds
enhance landscape character

Where you can do this action

You can do this action where:

a traditional orchard once existed – you must have evidence, such as historic maps or photographs
a new orchard will extend or link to existing tree and woodland habitats, such as traditional orchards, wood pasture, agroforestry, in-field or hedgerow trees or woodland habitats
a traditional orchard has less than one third of its original plantings (where trees have been planted in the past) occupied by trees over 10 years old

For the purposes of this action, a ‘traditional orchard’ means groups of fruit or nut trees which are both:

from at least one of the eligible species
grown on vigorous rootstocks in permanent grassland

A traditional orchard may include:

apple
pear
cherry
plum
damson
cobnut (a variety of hazelnut)
walnut

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

follow a capital works plan when planting fruit trees on vigorous root stock to create an orchard
use a traditional planting pattern to plant new ‘traditional orchard’ trees – you can apply for capital item TE3: Planting fruit trees
maintain the existing number of trees present
record the location, species, and age range of any existing trees in the orchard at the start of the agreement
formatively prune new trees (up to 20 years old) – this is to help create a strong branch framework and healthy young trees
keep the area around the base of establishing trees clear of vegetation (usually the first 3 years after planting) – this area will usually be around 1 metre diameter to minimise the impact on tree survival and growth
manage tree guards, so they do not damage growing trees
protect the trees from avoidable harm, including from machinery and grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits
leave any standing, attached and fallen deadwood in place (any exceptions will be agreed with your Natural England adviser and set out in your agreement) maintenance-prune and shape any established trees (more than 20 years old) at the time of year appropriate for your tree species

You can apply for capital item TE18: Restorative pruning of traditional orchard trees to carry out restorative pruning of unmanaged, mature trees.

To manage an established sward you must:

cut it or graze it with livestock (or a combination of both)
maintain a continuous sward over any historic or archaeological features, with minimal scrub, bracken and bare ground
manage scrub on the area in each land parcel
allow some wildflowers, sedges and grasses to flower and set seed in the spring and summer
leave some flower, sedge and grass seed heads undisturbed during the autumn and winter months
keep existing wet areas and ponds

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

establish a sward in the first year of your agreement
agree a feasibility study or implementation plan

You must not:

apply fertilisers, manure or lime
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
plough, cultivate, harrow, roll or reseed, unless it’s to restore or enhance a grass sward for biodiversity
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
remove dead or dying trees to replant with new trees
carry out drainage works without written permission from your Natural England adviser
damage any historic or archaeological features

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

aerial photographs to show the location of trees
field operations at the parcel level
associated invoices

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM6, CMOR1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT5,
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 14

Permissive access

Accepted Answer

CPAC1: Open access (T3)

CPAC4: Footpath access (T3)

CPAC3: Bridleway and cycle route access (T3)

CPAC2: Access for people with reduced mobility (T3)

CPAC5: Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way ‘open access land’ and public rights of way for cyclists and horse riders (T3)

CPAC6: Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way ‘open access land’ and public rights of way for people with reduced mobility (T3)

CPAC1: Open access (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£92 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to provide and maintain permissive open access to the public on areas of land. You’ll provide this access free of charge to the public.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for public health and wellbeing.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on most permanent land covers. You’ll need to agree what land can be included with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You cannot do this action on land with existing and equivalent access rights or open access land as defined under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

Eligible land

All land use codes are eligible for this action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

You must not:

close access for more than 10 days a year
close access on a public holiday
let any activities on land within your control interfere with permissive access
block existing access routes across the holding

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration

You should complete all preparatory work and gain the necessary permissions at the start of your agreement unless stated otherwise. You should install any infrastructure within the first year of your agreement or as agreed with your adviser.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM3, AGF1, AGF2, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS3, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM6, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, CLIG3, GRH6, SCR1, SCR2, HEF5, HEF6, HEF8, CIPM2, CNUM2, GRH4, WOD1, ORH1, COH1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM3, MOR1, IPM2, NUM2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2
CSHT actions	CGS18, CGS22, CGS21, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD1, CWD2, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW15, CSW16, CSW22, CSW12, CSW25, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CWD20, CWD22, CWD21, CWD8, CWD7, CSW18, CSW20, CWT10, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4, CBE5, CCT8, CCT9, CCT2, CCT10, CCT3, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5, CLH1, CLH2, CLH3, CHS4, CHS5, CHS6, CHS7, CAB18, CWT1
CS options	AB8, BE2, BE4, BE5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, HS2, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, LH1, LH2, LH3, OR1, OR2, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT5, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, UP3, WD1, WD10, WD11, WD12, WD2, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD8, WT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you may need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CPAC4: Footpath access (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£77 per 100 metres (m) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to provide and maintain new permissive footpaths to the public. You’ll provide this access free of charge to the public.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for public health and wellbeing.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on most permanent land types. You’ll need to agree what land can be included with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You cannot do this action on land that has existing and equivalent access rights.

Eligible land

All land use codes are eligible for this action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

provide and maintain footpaths which are wide enough for 2 people to walk side by side on a safe and even surface
create and install signs and maps at entrance points, and waymarks along routes
keep animals known to pose a risk to the public away from permissive access routes
carry out the necessary number of site inspections to make sure woodland access complies with tree safety – read the Countryside Code advice for land managers on creating a safe environment
inspect other non-woodland access routes (non-woodland) regularly to ensure there are no safety issues and take remedial action where necessary
maintain sward height to allow easy walking
link footpaths with other public access, such as Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) open access land, or public rights of way

You must not:

close access routes for more than 10 days a year
close access routes on a public holiday
let any activities on land within your control interfere with permissive access
block existing access routes across the holding

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

You should complete all preparatory work and gain the necessary permissions at the start of your agreement unless stated otherwise. You should install any infrastructure within the first year of your agreement.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you may need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CPAC3: Bridleway and cycle route access (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£158 per 100 metres (m) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to provide and maintain new permissive access for cyclists, horse-riders and pedestrians. You’ll provide this access free of charge to the public.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for public health and wellbeing.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on most permanent land types. You’ll need to agree what land can be included with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You cannot do this action on land that has existing access rights.

Eligible land

All land use codes are eligible for this action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

You must not:

close access routes for more than 10 days a year
close access routes on a public holiday
let any activities on land within your control interfere with permissive access
block existing access routes across the holding

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration

You should complete all preparatory work and gain the necessary permissions at the start of your agreement unless stated otherwise. You should install any infrastructure within the first year of your agreement.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you may need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CPAC2: Access for people with reduced mobility (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£221 per 100 metres (m) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to provide and maintain new access that the landowner has given permission for people with reduced mobility to use (‘permissive access’). This is not the same as a public right of way. You’ll provide this access free of charge to the public.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for public health and wellbeing.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on most permanent land types. You’ll need to agree what land can be included with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You cannot do this action on land that has existing and equivalent access rights.

Eligible land

All land use codes are eligible for this action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

You must not:

close access routes for more than 10 days a year
close access routes on a public holiday
let any activities on land within your control interfere with permissive access
block existing access routes across the holding

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

You should complete all preparatory work and gain the necessary permissions at the start of your agreement unless stated otherwise. You should install any infrastructure within the first year of your agreement.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you may need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CPAC5: Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way ‘open access land’ and public rights of way for cyclists and horse riders (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£158 per 100 metres (m) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to provide and maintain access for cyclists and horse riders alongside existing public footpaths or on Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) open access land. You’ll provide this access free of charge to the public.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for public health and wellbeing.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on most permanent land types. You’ll need to agree what land you can include with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You cannot do this action on land that has existing equivalent access rights.

Eligible land

All land use codes are eligible for this action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

provide and maintain bridleways and cycle routes with a safe and even surface which are wide enough for walkers, cycles and horses to pass
create and install signs and maps at entrance points, and waymarks along access routes
keep animals known to pose a risk to the public away from permissive access routes
carry out the necessary number of site inspections to make sure woodland access complies with tree safety – read the Countryside Code advice for land managers on creating a safe environment
inspect other non-woodland access routes regularly to make sure they’re safe, and take remedial action where necessary
maintain sward height to allow easy walking and riding
link CROW open access land, or public rights of way to other access routes

You must not:

close access routes for more than 10 days a year
close access routes on a public holiday
let any activities on land within your control interfere with permissive access
block existing access routes across the holding

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

You should complete all preparatory work and get the necessary permissions you need at the start of your agreement unless stated otherwise. You should install any relevant infrastructure within the first year of your agreement.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you may need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
advice from your local highway authority if upgrading existing rights of way

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CPAC6: Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way ‘open access land’ and public rights of way for people with reduced mobility (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£221 per 100 metres (m) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to provide and maintain access for people with reduced mobility over Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) open access land or alongside existing public rights of way. You’ll provide this access free of charge to the public.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for public health and wellbeing.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on most permanent land types. You’ll need to agree what land you can include in this action with your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

Eligible land

All land use codes are eligible for this action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

provide and maintain access for people with reduced mobility, wide enough for mobility aids with safe, compacted and even surfaces and occasional passing places
create and install signs and maps at entrance points, and waymarks along access routes
keep animals known to pose a risk to the public away from permissive access routes
carry out the necessary number of site inspections to make sure woodland access complies with tree safety – read the Countryside Code advice for land managers on creating a safe environment
inspect other non-woodland access routes regularly to make sure they’re safe and take remedial action where necessary
maintain sward height to allow people with limited mobility an easy passage on access routes
link new permissive access routes with CROW open access land or public rights of way where possible

You must not:

close access routes for more than 10 days a year
close access routes on a public holiday
let any activities on land within your control interfere with permissive access
block existing access routes across the holding

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

You should complete all preparatory work and get the necessary permissions you need at the start of your agreement, unless stated otherwise. You should install any related infrastructure within the first year of your agreement.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you may need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
advice from your local highway authority if upgrading existing rights of way network

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 15

Scrub

Accepted Answer

CWD8: Create scrub and open habitat mosaics (T4)

CWD7: Manage scrub and open habitat mosaics (T4)

CWD8: Create scrub and open habitat mosaics (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£588 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to create a mosaic of scrub, grasses and other flowering plants with:

scrub cover allowed to develop, and managed so the mosaic is maintained
a variety of species, heights, and structure
growing trees and deadwood, where relevant

The purpose of this is to:

provide pollen and nectar sources for beneficial insects, such as bumble bees, solitary bees and butterflies
provide food and habitats for birds and mammals
improve the quality of woodland edges and transitions between other habitats
protect soils and watercourses by reducing soil erosion
restore natural processes to enhance the ecosystem

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land where it extends, links, buffers or creates stepping stones between existing:

scrub
woodland
wood-pasture
hedgerows
other tree-outside-woodland habitats
other nature-rich habitats

You can also do this action in areas already inhabited by target species.

To use this action, you must avoid negative impacts on existing historic, archaeological, environmental or landscape features.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish scrub habitat mosaics with a variety of heights, widths, shapes and species composition by natural colonisation or planting
protect mature, veteran and ancient trees, their rootstocks and any attached deadwood
keep all standing and fallen deadwood from mature, veteran and ancient trees
replace any trees planted that have failed to establish
agree all drainage works (including changes to existing drainage) in writing with Natural England before starting any work

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

exclude all domestic grazing or graze lightly with cattle or pigs to open up the sward to aid tree germination
agree a stocking calendar specifying monthly minimum and maximum stocking rates by type of grazing animal (if you choose to graze)
control wild herbivores to allow scrub to develop and establish
cut to maintain the scrub and grass mosaic or control injurious weeds and invasive non-native species
manage dense bracken or bracken litter layers in yearly rotations – cut bracken by hand on archaeological or historic features
attach bird strike markers to all new fences
maintain or restore natural hydrological conditions for the target habitat as set out in your feasibility study or management plan (if required)
manage land to mimic natural processes to benefit species, for example create sparsely vegetated land by scarification, sow flower-rich seed or allow natural regeneration to occur
remove or control agreed invasive non-native flora and fauna species and some native deer species – this action can be funded by other supplements
tailor the action to protect archaeological or historic features, or existing environmental or landscape features on site

You must not:

apply fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
plough, harrow, roll, cultivate, lime or re-seed unless diversifying sward or introducing tree seeds (as set out in your feasibility study or management plan agreed with a Natural England adviser)
supplementary feed livestock
release or supplementary feed game birds
cut shrubby vegetation during the bird breeding season (from 1 March to 31 August)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CMOR1, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	N/A
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a felling licence or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) opinion from Forestry Commission
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

For hydrological restoration, you should include an assessment of the water supply (quantity and quality) in your implementation plan or feasibility study. This will include an assessment of any potential impacts on existing semi-natural habitat, archaeological or historic features and flood risk on third party land.

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWD7: Manage scrub and open habitat mosaics (T4)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£350 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage a mosaic of scrub, grasses and other flowering plants with:

scrub cover allowed to develop, and managed so the mosaic is maintained
a variety of species, heights, and structure
growing trees and deadwood, where relevant

The purpose of this is to:

provide pollen and nectar sources for beneficial insects, such as bumble bees, solitary bees and butterflies
provide food and habitats for birds and mammals
improve the quality of woodland edges and transitions between other habitats
protect soils and watercourses by reducing soil erosion
restore natural processes to enhance the ecosystem

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that has an existing scrub cover of at least 10%. If less than this, enter it into the CWD8: Create scrub and open habitat mosaics action.

You may be able to do this action on other habitats with Natural England approval.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage scrub mosaics with a variety of heights, widths, shapes and species
manage by cutting, light grazing with cattle, pigs or hardy ponies, natural colonisation, planting, or a combination of these methods
agree a stocking calendar specifying monthly minimum and maximum stocking rates by type of grazing animal, if you choose to graze
protect mature, veteran and ancient trees, their rootstocks and any attached deadwood
keep all standing and fallen deadwood from mature, veteran and ancient trees
replace any trees planted under the action that have failed to establish
agree all drainage works, including changes to existing drainage, in writing with Natural England before starting any work

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

cut to maintain the scrub and grass mosaic and for the control of injurious weeds and invasive non-native species
cut shrubby growth (as agreed with your Natural England adviser)
manage bracken or bracken litter layers in yearly rotations – cut bracken by hand on archaeological or historic features
control wild herbivores to maintain the scrub mosaics
attach bird strike markers to all new fences
maintain or restore natural hydrological conditions for the target habitat as set out in your feasibility study or management plan (if required)
manage land to mimic natural processes to benefit species, for example create sparsely vegetated land by scarification, sow flower-rich seed or allow natural regeneration to occur
remove or control agreed invasive non-native flora and fauna species and some native deer species – you can fund this action by other supplements
tailor the action to protect archaeological or historic features, or existing environmental or landscape features on site
keep a monthly record of grazing livestock numbers

You must not:

apply any fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
plough, harrow, roll, cultivate, lime or re-seed, unless it’s to diversify grass sward or plant tree seeds
supplementary feed livestock
release or supplementary feed game birds
cut shrubby growth during the bird breeding season (from 1 March to 31 August)

The management plan or feasibility study will determine to what extent the site has potential for restoration of natural processes. Capital funding is available to support these plans.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CMOR1, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	N/A
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a felling licence or an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) opinion from Forestry Commission
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

For hydrological restoration, you should include an assessment of the water supply (quantity and quality) in your implementation plan or feasibility study. This will include an assessment of any potential impacts on existing semi-natural habitat, archaeological or historic features and flood risk on third party land.

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 16

Soil health

Accepted Answer

CGS4: Herbal leys (T6)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£382 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s an established herbal ley with:

a mixture of grasses, legumes and herbs or wildflowers to provide varied root structures
areas of flowering plants from late spring and during summer months

The purpose of this is to:

produce a high volume of forage with minimal use of inorganic fertiliser
improve resilience to drought
help improve and maintain the soil’s structure, carbon, biology and fertility

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s located below the moorland line.

You cannot do this action on:

Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh that is managed as improved grassland may be eligible for this action, if agreed with your Natural England adviser.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is rotational or static. This means you can either:

move the action’s location as agreed with your Natural England adviser
keep it at the same location

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish a seed mix in the first 12 months of agreement that includes at least 5 species of grass, 4 species of legumes and 4 species of herb or wildflowers – you should agree a seed mix and minimum cover of each species with your Natural England adviser (you can maintain an existing herbal ley if it meets these requirements)
maintain the required area of mixed sward for the remainder of the agreement
re-establish the sward (if necessary) on the same or a different field
manage the sward throughout the year by cutting or grazing
shut the field up for an agreed period before cutting or grazing – typically for 5 weeks between May and the end of July
keep a monthly record of stock numbers grazing on land parcels and provide this record if requested

You must not:

apply any inorganic fertilisers containing nitrogen
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	OFC1, OFM1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
apply for an Environmental Impact Assessment screening or consent decision if you intend to reseed existing permanent grassland

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 17

Species recovery and management

Accepted Answer

CSP9: Support for threatened species (T2)

CSP13: Invasive plant species control and management (lower rate) (T2)

CSP14: Invasive plant species control and management (intermediate rate) (T2)

CSP15: Invasive plant species control and management (upper rate) (T2)

CSP20: Edible dormouse control and management (T2)

CSP21: American mink control and management (T2)

CWS1: Deer control and management (T2)

CWS3: Grey squirrel control and management (T2)

CSP3: Bracken control supplement (T2)

CSP12: Rhododendron control and management supplement (T2)

CSP16: Keep native breeds on grazed habitats supplement (50-80%) (T2)

CSP17: Keep native breeds on grazed habitats supplement (more than 80%) (T2)

CSP18: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (50-80%) (T2)

CSP19: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (more than 80%) (T2)

CSP9: Support for threatened species (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

Up to £204 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to provide additional support for species or species assemblages under threat above what is already provided by other Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) actions. For example, a bespoke seed mix for turtle dove or scarification of ground for heath fritillary butterfly.

The purpose of this is to provide additional land management or specialist items to support threatened species that cannot otherwise be carried out by the underlying action.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land agreed by a Natural England specialist or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

all invoices from any specialist items purchased, such as specialist seed mixes
feeding diary

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to complete a support for threatened species form with support from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
consent from the Environment Agency or other responsible bodies for works

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP13: Invasive plant species control and management (lower rate) (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£140 per hectare (ha) per year

There are 3 payment rates available to manage invasive plant species:

lower (£140 per ha)
intermediate (£230 per ha) available in CSP14
upper (£380 per ha) available under CSP15

You’ll need a species management plan to apply for this action. Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will tell you which payment rate you’re eligible for. The payment rate is based on:

the species you’re controlling – if it needs different management approaches across significant periods of time (for example regular chemical spraying, plus mechanical pulling) you may be eligible for the higher payment rate
your location – if a site is hard to access (for example it might be on a steep slope or include fast flowing water), you may be eligible for the higher payment rate

Species eligible for this payment rate (as standard) include:

parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
giant rhubarb species (Gunnera tinctoria; Gunnera x cryptica)
American skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus)
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
Russian vine (Fallopia baldschuanica)

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to control invasive non-native plant species which are harmful to the environment.

The purpose is to support the restoration and maintenance of priority habitat and species by removing invasive non-native plants.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land where invasive non-native species are having a negative effect on priority habitats or species or could spread

You can only do this action if you have a species management plan agreed with Natural England or Forestry Commission.

You cannot do this action to control native invasive species such as injurious weeds, bracken, gorse, rush infestations, brambles or nettles.

You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	SR01
Nursery crops	Permanent crops	NU01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Heap	Heaps - permanent	HE03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Shingle	Inland wetland	IW05
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Storage area	Storage areas	SA02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Residential garden	Natural woodland	WO17
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

control the invasive species using methods agreed with your adviser
allow native vegetation to re-establish on cleared sites
monitor and record the impact of the invasive species control activity in years 1, 3 and 5 of your agreement (for example before and after photographs and the results of monitoring)

You must send a species management plan with your application.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

monitoring reports to show impact of the invasive species control activity
bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work
records of management activity on the action area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment (or similar) to show your woodland operations are compliant with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
photographic evidence of your monitoring of sites

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, AGF1, AGF2, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, GRH1, GRH6, SCR1, SCR2, HEF5, HEF6, HEF8, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, GRH2, GRH3, GRH4, HEF4, WOD1, ORH1, COH1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2
CSHT actions	CGS20, CGS19, CGS18, CGS22, CGS21, CUP2, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD1, CWD2, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW22, CSW12, CSW25, CWT15, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CWD20, CWD22, CWD21, CWD8, CWD7, CSW17, CSW19, CSW18, CSW20, CWT10, CWT14, CWT13, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4, CBE5, CCT8, CCT9, CCT2, CCT10, CCT3, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5, CLH1, CLH2, CLH3, CHS3, CHS4, CHS5, CHS6, CHS9, CHS7, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB5, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB4, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, GS1, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, HS2, HS3, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, HS9, LH1, LH2, LH3, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, UP2, UP3, WD1, WD10, WD11, WD12, WD2, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD8, WT1, WT10, WT2, WT4, WT5, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a species management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission or Natural England
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
to follow relevant guidance and legislation on treatment and disposal of invasive non-native plants
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

You may need to get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land.

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan, species management plan, or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP14: Invasive plant species control and management (intermediate rate) (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£230 per hectare (ha) per year.

There are 3 payment rates available to manage invasive plant species:

lower (£140 per ha) available in CSP13
intermediate (£230 per ha)
upper (£380 per ha) available under CSP15

You’ll need a species management plan to apply for this action. Your Natural England adviser will tell you which payment rate you’re eligible for based on:

the species you’re controlling – if it needs different management approaches across significant periods of time (for example, regular chemical spraying, plus mechanical pulling), you may be eligible for the higher payment rate
your location – if a site is hard to access (for example, it might be on a steep slope or include fast flowing water), you may be eligible for the higher payment rate

Species eligible for this payment rate (as standard) include:

floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)
Japanese knotweed, giant knotweed or knotweed hybrids (Fallopia japonica, Fallopia sachalinensis or Fallopia japonica x)
laurel species (Prunus laurocerasus, Prunus lusitanica)
shallon (Gaultheria shallon)
buddleia (Buddleia davidii)
pirri-pirri-bur (Acaena novae-zelandiae)
Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa, Rosa ‘Hollandica’)

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to control invasive non-native plant species which are harmful to the environment.

The purpose is to support the restoration and maintenance of priority habitat and species by removing invasive non-native plants.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land where invasive non-native species are having a negative effect on priority habitats or species or could spread

You can only do this action if you have a species management plan agreed with Natural England or Forestry Commission.

You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.

You cannot do this action to control native invasive species such as injurious weeds, bracken, gorse, rush infestations, brambles or nettles.

You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	SR01
Nursery crops	Permanent crops	NU01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Heap	Heaps - permanent	HE03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Shingle	Inland wetland	IW05
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Storage area	Storage areas	SA02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Residential garden	Natural woodland	WO17
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

control the invasive species using methods agreed with your adviser
allow native vegetation to re-establish on cleared sites
monitor and record the impact of the invasive species control activity in years 1, 3 and 5 of your agreement (for example before and after photographs and the results of monitoring)

You must send a species management plan with your application.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

monitoring reports to show impact of the invasive species control activity
bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work
records of management activity on the action area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment (or similar) to show your woodland operations are compliant with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
photographic evidence of your monitoring of sites

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, AGF1, AGF2, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, GRH1, GRH6, SCR1, SCR2, HEF5, HEF6, HEF8, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, GRH2, GRH3, GRH4, HEF4, WOD1, ORH1, COH1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2
CSHT actions	CGS20, CGS19, CGS18, CGS22, CGS21, CUP2, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD1, CWD2, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW22, CSW12, CSW25, CWT15, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CWD20, CWD22, CWD21, CWD8, CWD7, CSW17, CSW19, CSW18, CSW20, CWT10, CWT14, CWT13, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4, CBE5, CCT8, CCT9, CCT2, CCT10, CCT3, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5, CLH1, CLH2, CLH3, CHS3, CHS4, CHS5, CHS6, CHS9, CHS7, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB5, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB4, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, GS1, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, HS2, HS3, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, HS9, LH1, LH2, LH3, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, UP2, UP3, WD1, WD10, WD11, WD12, WD2, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD8, WT1, WT10, WT2, WT4, WT5, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a species management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission or Natural England
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
to follow relevant guidance and legislation on treatment and disposal of invasive non-native plants
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

You may need to get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land.

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan, species management plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP15: Invasive plant species control and management (upper rate) (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£380 per hectare (ha) per year

There are 3 payment rates available to manage invasive plant species:

lower (£140 per ha) available in CSP13
intermediate (£230 per ha) available under CSP14
upper (£380 per ha)

You’ll need a species management plan to apply for this action. Your Natural England adviser will tell you which payment rate you’re eligible for based on:

the species you’re controlling – if it needs different management approaches across significant periods of time (for example, regular chemical spraying, plus mechanical pulling), you may be eligible for the higher payment rate
your location – if a site is hard to access (for example it might be on a steep slope or include fast flowing water), you may be eligible for the higher payment rate

Species eligible for this payment rate (as standard) include:

New Zealand pygmy weed (Crassula helmsii)
water primrose (Ludwigia peploides, Ludwigia grandiflora)
sour fig species (Carpobrotus edulis, Carpobrotus acinaciformis, Carpobrotus deliciosus, Carpobrotus glaucescens)
bamboo species (Pyhllostachys species, Psuedosasa species)

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to control invasive non-native plant species which are harmful to the environment.

The purpose is to support the restoration and maintenance of priority habitat and species by removing invasive non-native plants.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land:

where invasive non-native species are having a negative effect on priority habitats or species or could spread
located above and below the moorland line

You can only do this action if you have a species management plan agreed with Natural England or Forestry Commission.

You cannot do this action to control native invasive species such as injurious weeds, bracken, gorse, rush infestations, brambles or nettles.

You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	SR01
Nursery crops	Permanent crops	NU01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Heap	Heaps - permanent	HE03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Shingle	Inland wetland	IW05
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Storage area	Storage areas	SA02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Residential garden	Natural woodland	WO17
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

control the invasive species using methods agreed with your adviser
allow native vegetation to re-establish on cleared sites
monitor and record the impact of the invasive species control activity in years 1, 3 and 5 of your agreement (for example before and after photographs and the results of monitoring)

You must send a species management plan with your application.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

monitoring reports to show impact of the invasive species control activity
bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work
records of management activity on the action area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment (or similar) to show your woodland operations are compliant with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
photographic evidence of your monitoring of sites

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, AGF1, AGF2, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, GRH1, GRH6, SCR1, SCR2, HEF5, HEF6, HEF8, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, GRH2, GRH3, GRH4, HEF4, WOD1, ORH1, COH1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2
CSHT actions	CGS20, CGS19, CGS18, CGS22, CGS21, CUP2, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD1, CWD2, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW22, CSW12, CSW25, CWT15, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CWD20, CWD22, CWD21, CWD8, CWD7, CSW17, CSW19, CSW18, CSW20, CWT10, CWT14, CWT13, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4, CBE5, CCT8, CCT9, CCT2, CCT10, CCT3, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5, CLH1, CLH2, CLH3, CHS3, CHS4, CHS5, CHS6, CHS9, CHS7, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB5, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB4, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, GS1, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, HS2, HS3, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, HS9, LH1, LH2, LH3, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, UP2, UP3, WD1, WD10, WD11, WD12, WD2, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD8, WT1, WT10, WT2, WT4, WT5, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a species management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission or Natural England
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
to follow relevant guidance and legislation on treatment and disposal of invasive non-native plants

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan, species management plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP20: Edible dormouse control and management (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£40 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to control the population of invasive non-native edible dormice.

The purpose is to reduce the effect of edible dormice on, for example, tree bark damage, fruit crops, and hole-nesting birds. This supports habitat and species recovery.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land where invasive edible dormouse are present.

You can only do this action if you have a species management plan agreed with Natural England or Forestry Commission.

You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	SR01
Nursery crops	Permanent crops	NU01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Heap	Heaps - permanent	HE03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Shingle	Inland wetland	IW05
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Storage area	Storage areas	SA02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Residential garden	Natural woodland	WO17
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

set up or identify monitoring sites and carry out baseline monitoring as outlined in your species management plan in year 1
carry out agreed levels of culling set out in your species management plan
carry out habitat impact assessments in years 1, 5 and 10 of your agreement

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

habitat impact assessment reports
any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
evidence of culling activity and cull numbers, using the cull effort form (when available and supported by photographs when requested

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, AGF1, AGF2, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, GRH1, GRH6, SCR1, SCR2, HEF5, HEF6, HEF8, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, GRH2, GRH3, GRH4, HEF4, WOD1, ORH1, COH1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2
CSHT actions	CGS20, CGS19, CGS18, CGS22, CGS21, CUP2, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD1, CWD2, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW22, CSW12, CSW25, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CWD20, CWD22, CWD21, CWD8, CWD7, CSW17, CSW19, CSW18, CSW20, CWT10, CWT14, CWT13, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4, CBE5, CCT8, CCT9, CCT2, CCT10, CCT3, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5, CLH1, CLH2, CLH3, CHS3, CHS4, CHS5, CHS6, CHS9, CHS7, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB5, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB4, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, GS1, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, HS2, HS3, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, HS9, LH1, LH2, LH3, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, UP2, UP3, WD1, WD10, WD11, WD12, WD2, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD8, WT1, WT10, WT2, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a species management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission and Natural England (if your application includes non-woodland habitats)
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
a wildlife licence – Edible dormice: licence to trap them (CL02)

You may also need to get other wildlife licences from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat.

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan, species management plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP21: American mink control and management (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£99 per 100 metres (m) per year for the management of the waterbody where non-native American mink are present

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to control the population of invasive non-native American mink.

The purpose is to help increase the population of native threatened species, such as water voles and breeding waders.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this action alongside waterbodies where invasive non-native American mink are present. Waterbodies include rivers, canals, ponds, lakes, drainage channels, ditches and wetlands with open areas of water.

You can only do this action if you have a species management plan agreed with Natural England or Forestry Commission.

You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	SR01
Nursery crops	Permanent crops	NU01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Heap	Heaps - permanent	HE03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Shingle	Inland wetland	IW05
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Storage area	Storage areas	SA02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Residential garden	Natural woodland	WO17
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Not applicable as this is a linear action.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must carry out agreed levels of culling activity as set out in your species management plan.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

evidence of culling activity and cull numbers using the cull effort form (when available), supported by photographs when requested
any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, AGF1, AGF2, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, GRH1, GRH6, SCR1, SCR2, HEF5, HEF6, HEF8, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, GRH2, GRH3, GRH4, HEF4, WOD1, ORH1, COH1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2
CSHT actions	CGS20, CGS19, CGS18, CGS22, CGS21, CUP2, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD1, CWD2, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW22, CSW12, CSW25, CWT15, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CWD20, CWD22, CWD21, CWD8, CWD7, CSW17, CSW19, CSW18, CSW20, CWT10, CWT14, CWT13, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4, CBE5, CCT8, CCT9, CCT2, CCT10, CCT3, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5, CLH1, CLH2, CLH3, CHS3, CHS4, CHS5, CHS6, CHS9, CHS7, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB5, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB4, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, GS1, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, HS2, HS3, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, HS9, LH1, LH2, LH3, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, UP2, UP3, WD1, WD10, WD11, WD12, WD2, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD8, WT1, WT10, WT2, WT4, WT5, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a species management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission and Natural England (if your application includes woodland habitats)
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan, species management plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS1: Deer control and management (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£105 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to reduce the harm deer are causing to priority species and habitats.

The purpose is to support priority species and habitats by allowing them to thrive.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this action on land where:

native or naturalised deer (European roe deer, red deer and fallow deer) are causing harm to priority habitats and species
invasive non-native deer species (Chinese water deer, Reeves muntjac or sika) are present

You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	SR01
Nursery crops	Permanent crops	NU01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Heap	Heaps - permanent	HE03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Shingle	Inland wetland	IW05
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Storage area	Storage areas	SA02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Residential garden	Natural woodland	WO17
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland manager will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

put up an agreed number of deer monitoring structures (‘exclosures’) in year 1 of your agreement
carry out the agreed level of culling set out in your species management plan
carry out habitat impact assessments in years 1, 5 and 10 of your agreement

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

habitat impact assessment reports
evidence of culling activity and cull numbers using the cull effort form (when available), supported by photographs, when requested
any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, AGF1, AGF2, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, GRH1, GRH6, SCR1, SCR2, HEF5, HEF6, HEF8, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, GRH2, GRH3, GRH4, HEF4, WOD1, ORH1, COH1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2
CSHT actions	CGS20, CGS19, CGS18, CGS22, CGS21, CUP2, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD1, CWD2, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW22, CSW12, CSW25, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CWD20, CWD22, CWD21, CWD8, CWD7, CSW17, CSW19, CSW18, CSW20, CWT10, CWT14, CWT13, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4, CBE5, CCT8, CCT9, CCT2, CCT10, CCT3, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5, CLH1, CLH2, CLH3, CHS3, CHS4, CHS5, CHS6, CHS9, CHS7, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB5, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB4, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, GS1, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, HS2, HS3, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, HS9, LH1, LH2, LH3, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, UP2, UP3, WD1, WD10, WD11, WD12, WD2, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD8, WT1, WT10, WT2, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a species management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission and Natural England (if your application includes non-woodland habitats)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
licence A16: to shoot deer during the closed season or at night if you intend to do this as part of your management plan

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get any other wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan, species management plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS3: Grey squirrel control and management (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£60 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage and reduce the impact of invasive non-native grey squirrels.

The purpose is to:

protect the native red squirrel and allow its population to increase
reduce the damage grey squirrels cause to trees and woodland habitats

Where you can do this action

You can only do this action if you have a species management plan agreed with Forestry Commission.

You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	SR01
Nursery crops	Permanent crops	NU01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Cliff	Coastal features	CF01
Vegetated shingle	Coastal features	CF02
Sand dunes	Coastal features	CF03
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Heap	Heaps - permanent	HE03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Shingle	Inland wetland	IW05
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Scree	Rock	RO02
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Storage area	Storage areas	SA02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Residential garden	Natural woodland	WO17
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

set up or identify monitoring sites and undertake baseline monitoring as outlined in your species management plan in year 1
complete grey squirrel management training if needed (your local woodland officer will discuss this with you)
carry out the agreed level of culling set out in your species management plan
carry out habitat impact assessments in years 1, 5 and 10 of your agreement

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

habitat impact assessment reports
evidence of culling activity and cull numbers using the cull effort form (when available), supported by photographs when requested
any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, AGF1, AGF2, CAHL4, CIGL3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM3, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CLIG3, GRH1, GRH6, SCR1, SCR2, HEF5, HEF6, HEF8, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, GRH2, GRH3, GRH4, HEF4, WOD1, ORH1, COH1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, SAM2, SAM3, MOR1, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, IGL1, IGL2, AHL4, IGL3, LIG1, LIG2
CSHT actions	CGS20, CGS19, CGS18, CGS22, CGS21, CUP2, CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD1, CWD2, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CSP21, CSP20, CSW24, CSW23, CSW15, CSW16, CSW22, CSW12, CSW25, CSW21, CPAC1, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CWD20, CWD22, CWD21, CWD8, CWD7, CSW17, CSW19, CSW18, CSW20, CWT10, CWT14, CWT13, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CBE4, CBE5, CCT8, CCT9, CCT2, CCT10, CCT3, CCT4, CCT7, CCT5, CLH1, CLH2, CLH3, CHS3, CHS4, CHS5, CHS6, CHS9, CHS7, CAB18, CAB19, CWT1, CWT2, CAB16, CAB17, CAB5, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CAB10, CAB14, CAB11, CWD3
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB4, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, GS1, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, HS2, HS3, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, HS9, LH1, LH2, LH3, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, OT6, SW1, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, UP1, UP2, UP3, WD1, WD10, WD11, WD12, WD2, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD8, WT1, WT10, WT2, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a species management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission and Natural England (if your application includes non-woodland habitats)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to get:

advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan, species management plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP3: Bracken control supplement (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£232 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to control the spread of bracken or remove existing dense bracken.

The purpose is to:

maintain or restore the biodiversity value of the land
allow different vegetation types to grow
protect archaeological sites

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on land with a suitable base action approved by your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You should use this supplement after using the capital items:

SB4: Chemical bracken control - in exceptional cases only
SB5: Mechanical bracken control

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

control bracken so that cover is reduced to a set proportion by a set date
use temporary grazing controls to protect vegetation regeneration
graze to break up litter beds and damage young fronds to offer extra bracken control
control reinfestation during the term of the agreement
carry out follow-up cutting or grazing management to your site

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to keep a monthly record of stock numbers.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

photographs, associated invoices and field operations at the parcel level
monthly record of stock numbers on the supplemental action area

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this supplemental action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Countryside Stewardship Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP12: Rhododendron control and management supplement (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£256 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to control rhododendron by removing it or stopping it from spreading or re-establishing.

The purpose is to maintain or restore biodiversity value and protect archaeological sites.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on land with a suitable base action approved by your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You should use this supplemental action after either:

using capital item: SB6: Rhododendron control
carrying out initial rhododendron control work at your own expense

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

control rhododendron to an agreed level of cover which may include removing cut material
control and remove any re-established rhododendron
include a map showing the extent of rhododendron with your application

You must not carry out chemical control of rhododendron in areas identified by your Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

consents, permissions and invoices connected with this work
records of management activity on the action area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment (or similar) to show your operations are compliant with the UK Forestry Standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this supplemental action, you’ll need:

a woodland management plan approved by your Forestry Commission woodland officer (for woodland management)
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need:

advice from Historic England for grade 1 or grade 2 historic parks
advice from the Gardens Trust for registered parks below grade 2
advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland manager if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
to get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP16: Keep native breeds on grazed habitats supplement (50-80%) (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£92 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that at least 50% of the grazing livestock units (GLU) on sensitive grassland habitats are rare native breeds at risk livestock.

The purpose of this is to maintain or increase the number of rare native breeds at risk livestock.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land that you’re grazing with livestock, with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base actions:

CGS18: Manage species-rich floodplain meadows
CGS26: Manage grassland with very low inputs
CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland
CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders
CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl
CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features
CHS7: Manage historic water meadows through traditional irrigation
CBE4: Manage traditional orchards
CBE5: Create traditional orchards
CWD22: Manage wood pasture
CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland
CWD20: Create wood pasture
CAGF4: Manage very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
CAGF2: Manage low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
CAGF3: Manage medium density in-field agroforestry
CAGF1: Manage high density in-field agroforestry

 Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

have at least 50% of the total GLU grazed by registered pedigree livestock on the land entered into the relevant base action
have animals present and maintained on the holding to graze from the first grazing season and during subsequent grazing seasons graze grassland consistent with an agreed stocking calendar
maintain a monthly record of stock grazing the land

You must use livestock that appear on the Native Breed at Risk (NBAR) list.

To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:

cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
heavy sheep (for example most lowland sheep, rams and larger hill sheep) – 0.12 GLU
light sheep (for example store lambs and small hill sheep) – 0.08 GLU
goat – 0.12 GLU
pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
horse – 1.0 GLU
pig – 0.44 GLU
poultry – 0.017 GLU

Native breeds will only be allowed where they’ll meet the aims of the base action and have been agreed by a Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

You must produce the following written records where applicable:

a monthly record of grazing animals at the parcel level
animal movement identification numbers for each eligible animal
changes to the original documentation since the action’s start date, such as replacement animals
the pedigree registration number or birth notification number for each eligible animal taken from the Native Breed at Risk (NBAR) records breed registration records and proof of animal provenance, parentage and availability for each animal

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to: 

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER). 

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP17: Keep native breeds on grazed habitats supplement (more than 80%) (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£146 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that more than 80% of grazing livestock units (GLU) on sensitive grassland habitats are rare native breeds at risk livestock.

The purpose of this is to maintain or increase the number of rare native breeds at risk livestock

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land that you’re grazing with livestock, with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:

CGS18: Manage species-rich floodplain meadows
CGS26: Manage grassland with very low inputs
CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland
CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders
CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl
CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features
CHS7: Manage historic water meadows through traditional irrigation
CBE4: Manage traditional orchards
CBE5: Create traditional orchards
CWD22: Manage wood pasture
CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland
CWD20: Create wood pasture
CAGF4: Manage very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
CAGF2: Manage low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
CAGF3: Manage medium density in-field agroforestry
CAGF1: Manage high density in-field agroforestry

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

have more than 80% of the total GLU grazed by registered pedigree livestock on the land entered into the relevant base action
have animals present and maintained on the holding to graze from the first grazing season and during subsequent grazing seasons graze grassland consistent with an agreed stocking calendar
maintain a monthly record of stock grazing the land

You must use livestock that appear on the Native Breed at Risk (NBAR) list.

To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:

cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
heavy sheep (for example most lowland sheep, rams and larger hill sheep) – 0.12 GLU
light sheep (for example store lambs and small hill sheep) – 0.08 GLU
goat – 0.12 GLU
pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
horse – 1.0 GLU
pig – 0.44
poultry – 0.017

Native breeds will only be allowed where they’ll meet the aims of the base action and have been agreed by a Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

You must produce the following written records where applicable:

a monthly record of grazing animals at the parcel level
animal movement identification numbers for each eligible animal
changes to the original documentation since the action’s start date, such as replacement animals
the pedigree registration number or birth notification number for each eligible animal taken from the Native Breed at Risk (NBAR) records breed registration records and proof of animal provenance, parentage and availability for each animal

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER). 

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP18: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (50-80%) (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£7 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This supplemental action’s aim is that at least 50% of the grazing livestock units (GLU) on low productivity habitats, such as lowland heathland or moorland are rare native breeds at risk livestock.

The purpose of this is to maintain or increase the number of rare native breeds at risk livestock.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land that you’re grazing with livestock, with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:

CLH1: Manage lowland heathland
CLH2: Restore lowland heathland
CLH3: Create lowland heathland
CUP2: Manage rough grazing for birds
CAGF4: Manage very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
CAGF2: Manage low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
CAGF3: Manage medium density in-field agroforestry
CAGF1: Manage high density in-field agroforestry
CCT8: Manage and restore coastal sand dunes
CCT9: Manage and restore coastal vegetated shingle
CCT3: Manage coastal saltmarsh and its vegetation
CUP3: General moorland management
CUP8: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
CUP9: Low livestock grazing on moorland
CUP10: Limited livestock grazing on moorland
CUP11: Shepherding livestock on moorland (no required stock removal period)
CUP12: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 4 months)
CUP13: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 6 months)
CUP14: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 8 months)
CWD7: Manage scrub and open habitat mosaics
CWD8: Create scrub and open habitat mosaics
CSW12: Make room for the river to move
CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics
CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics
CWT10: Manage lowland raised bog

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

have at least 50% of the total GLU grazed by registered pedigree livestock on the land entered into the relevant base action
have animals present and maintained on the holding to graze from the first grazing season and during subsequent grazing seasons graze grassland consistent with an agreed stocking calendar
maintain a monthly record of stock grazing the land

You must use livestock that appear on the Native Breed at Risk (NBAR) list.

To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:

cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
heavy sheep (for example most lowland sheep, rams and larger hill sheep) – 0.12 GLU
light sheep (for example store lambs and small hill sheep) – 0.08 GLU
goat – 0.12 GLU
pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
horse – 1.0 GLU
pig – 0.44 GLU
poultry – 0.017

Native breeds will only be allowed where they’ll meet the aims of the base action and have been agreed by a Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

You must produce the following written records where applicable:

a monthly record of grazing animals at the parcel level
animal movement identification numbers for each eligible animal
changes to the original documentation since the action’s start date, such as replacement animals
the pedigree registration number or birth notification number for each eligible animal taken from the Native Breed at Risk (NBAR) records breed registration records and proof of animal provenance, parentage and availability for each animal

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to: 

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER). 

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP19: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (more than 80%) (T2)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£11 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that more than 80% of grazing livestock units (GLU) on low productivity habitats, such as lowland heathland or moorland are rare native breeds at risk livestock.

The purpose of this is to maintain or increase the number of rare native breeds at risk livestock.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land that you’re grazing with livestock, with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:

CLH1: Manage lowland heathland
CLH2: Restore lowland heathland
CLH3: Create lowland heathland
CUP2: Manage rough grazing for birds
CAGF4: Manage very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
CAGF2: Manage low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
CAGF3: Manage medium density in-field agroforestry
CAGF1: Manage high density in-field agroforestry
CCT8: Manage and restore coastal sand dunes
CCT9: Manage and restore coastal vegetated shingle
CCT3: Manage coastal saltmarsh and its vegetation
CUP3: General moorland management
CUP8: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
CUP9: Low livestock grazing on moorland
CUP10: Limited livestock grazing on moorland
CUP11: Shepherding livestock on moorland (no required stock removal period
CUP12: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 4 months)
CUP13: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 6 months)
CUP14: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for a minimum of 8 months)
CWD7: Manage scrub and open habitat mosaics
CWD8: Create scrub and open habitat mosaics
CSW12: Make room for the river to move
CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics
CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics
CWT10: Manage lowland raised bog

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

have more than 80% of the total GLU grazed by registered pedigree livestock on the land entered into the relevant base action
have animals present and maintained on the holding to graze from the first grazing season and during subsequent grazing seasons
graze grassland consistent with an agreed stocking calendar
maintain a monthly record of stock grazing the land

You must use livestock that appear on the Native Breed at Risk (NBAR) list.

To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:

cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
heavy sheep (for example most lowland sheep, rams and larger hill sheep) – 0.12 GLU
light sheep (for example store lambs and small hill sheep) – 0.08 GLU
goat – 0.12 GLU
pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
horse – 1.0 GLU
pig – 0.44 GLU
poultry – 0.017 GLU

Native breeds will only be allowed where they’ll meet the aims of the base action and have been agreed by a Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices
photographs

You must produce the following written records where applicable:

a monthly record of grazing animals at the parcel level
animal movement identification numbers for each eligible animal
changes to the original documentation since the action’s start date, such as replacement animals
the pedigree registration number or birth notification number for each eligible animal taken from the Native Breed at Risk (NBAR) records
breed registration records and proof of animal provenance, parentage and availability for each animal

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 18

Waterbodies

Accepted Answer

CSW7: Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input (T3)

CSW8: Manage intensive grassland adjacent to a watercourse (T3)

CSW12: Make room for the river to move (T3)

CSW13: Manage grassland to reduce nutrient levels in groundwater (T3)

CSW15: Flood mitigation on arable reversion to grassland (T3)

CSW16: Flood mitigation on permanent grassland (T3)

CSW22: Connect river and floodplain habitats (T3)

CSW23: Manage features on arable land for flood and drought resilience and water quality (T3)

CSW24: Manage grassland for flood and drought resilience and water quality (T3)

CSW25: Manage riparian and water edge habitats (T3)

CWT3: Manage ditches of high environmental value (T3)

CWT16: Manage lakes and bodies of water greater than 2ha (T3)

CWT15: Manage ponds and bodies of water up to 2ha (T3)

CSW26: Enhanced floodplain storage supplement (T3)

CSW14: Nil fertiliser supplement (T3)

CSW7: Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£489 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to create a dense and diverse grass sward throughout the year on land at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff.

The purpose is to:

stabilise the soil
reduce nutrient losses
buffer sensitive habitats
reduce the risk of flooding

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land located below the moorland line that’s identified as being at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff, or important for buffering sensitive habitats.

For the purposes of this action, ‘sensitive habitats’ include:

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable	Arable land	Arable crops or leguminous crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage the land so there’s a diverse grass sward throughout the year
exclude livestock from the sward during the autumn and winter or as agreed with your adviser
keep a monthly record of stock numbers grazing the land parcels
manage the sward by grazing or cutting with cuttings removed
minimise the cover of bare ground, as agreed with your Natural England adviser

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to establish a grass sward using a seed mix agreed with your adviser.

You must not:

apply any livestock manures with more than 100 kilograms (kg) of total nitrogen per ha per year (where you do not use livestock manures, you can use nitrogen fertiliser to supply no more than 50kg of total nitrogen per ha per year)
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
apply any manure or fertiliser between late summer and the end of January to reduce the risk of runoff
supplementary feed except for mineral blocks (non-energy based)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
relevant invoices including seed invoices
photographs and other documentation

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFM1, PRF1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW8: Manage intensive grassland adjacent to a watercourse (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£311 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to maintain or create a diverse grass sward, as well as to manage the sward with reduced fertiliser inputs and reducing stocking densities.

The purpose is to reduce:

soil compaction
surface run-off and the risk of diffuse pollution to the watercourse
the risk of flooding

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on:

land located below the moorland line
sloping land which drains directly into a watercourse (stream, river, or lake)
land typically receiving more than 200 kilograms (kg) per hectare of nitrogen per year
land at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff, or has been identified as important for buffering sensitive habitat

For the purposes of this action, ‘sensitive habitats’ include:

Eligibility

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage the land so there’s a diverse grass sward throughout the year
exclude livestock from the sward during the autumn and winter or as agreed with your adviser
keep a monthly record of stock numbers grazing the land parcels
manage the sward by grazing or cutting, with cuttings removed
minimise the cover of bare ground, as agreed with your Natural England adviser

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to establish a grass sward using a seed mix agreed with your adviser.

You must not:

apply any livestock manures with more than 100 kilograms (kg) of total nitrogen per ha per year (where you do not use livestock manures, you can use nitrogen fertiliser to supply no more than 50kg of total nitrogen per ha per year)
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
apply any manure or fertiliser between late summer and around the end of January to reduce the risk of runoff
supplementary feed except for mineral blocks (non-energy based)

When to do it

You must carry out the management activities for the duration of your agreement.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
relevant invoices including seed invoices
photographs and other documentation

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFM1, PRF1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW12: Make room for the river to move (T3)

Duration

20 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,489 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to:

restore and create new and dynamic areas of river and wet floodplain habitats – these areas will move over time due to the river itself moving
let water seasonally flood from and drain back into the river
reduce the risk of soil erosion and downstream flooding

This will include:

new areas of river and wetland habitats appearing, such as new channels, temporary ponds in old channels and wet grassland
gradual erosion and movement of the riverbed and riverbanks
deposits of gravel, sand and silt in the river channel and on the floodplain after a flood

The purpose is to allow rivers to flow naturally across the floodplain to deliver benefits for biodiversity, flood and drought management and climate adaptation.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on:

land that fast-flowing rivers are likely to move into, or can be restored to move into during the agreement - river movement can be the result of bank erosion or channel switching
land restored to create multiple branching river channels occupying most or all of the floodplain, and with permanently high groundwater levels (also known as ‘Stage Zero’ river restoration)

You can only do this action if you have a river restoration plan agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

prepare the land to receive additional floodwater from the watercourse next to it and allow the river and water to move freely in the floodplain
remove or disable any artificial land drainage, such as drains and pipes - you must agree all drainage works (including modification to existing drainage) in writing with Natural England before carrying out any activities
establish permanent vegetation cover (as set out in the river restoration plan)
only plough, cultivate or re-seed as part of an agreed sward enhancement programme
remove non-biodegradable flood debris
control invasive non-native species
only allow vehicle access on agreed routes

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

keep an open sward by light grazing or cutting in parts of the agreement area
retain trees and scrub, or allow them to establish, in parts of the agreement area
retain standing or fallen deadwood, unless it’s a flood risk to people and property
remove cut non-woody material
remove soil compaction
keep a monthly record of stock numbers

You must not:

fill in hollows or wet features
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock
remove or control sediments in rivers or floodplains, unless agreed
carry out any earthworks on riverbeds or banks, flood defences, bank protection or drainage works, unless agreed
apply fertilisers, manures or lime
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must carry out the management activities for the duration of your agreement. You must complete enabling capital works by the end of the third year of your agreement.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CWD2, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

an agreed river restoration plan with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW13: Manage grassland to reduce nutrient levels in groundwater (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£396 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that there’s an intact grass sward throughout the year, with:

a medium sward height during the winter – this is typically between 5 and 15cm
minimal bare ground
a reduced level of nutrient inputs applied

The purpose of this is to:

reduce nutrient inputs to grassland in priority Water Framework Directive (WFD) groundwater failure areas
help slow or reverse nutrient levels in groundwater

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land:

located below the moorland line
typically receiving more than 200 kilograms (kg) per hectare of nitrogen per year
identified as a priority WFD groundwater failure area within the Countryside Stewardship targeting and scoring layer on the Magic website

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

ensure the soil on your grassland is completely covered by vegetation to minimise bare ground exposure (as agreed with your adviser)
reduce or not apply fertiliser or manure

You must not:

plough, cultivate or re-seed the soil
carry out supplementary feeding of livestock, apart from providing non-energy based mineral blocks
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
associated invoices including seed invoices
photographs and other documentation

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFC3, OFM1, OFM4, PRF1, PRF2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OR3, OT1, OT3
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW15: Flood mitigation on arable reversion to grassland (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£740 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to:

store water from streams and rivers during flood events
allow floodwater to spread across a floodplain and naturally subside

The purpose is to:

provide space to allow a river and floodplain to reconnect
prevent flooding downstream

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on arable land or temporary grassland in the floodplain, where you’re connecting the river to the floodplain.

This can include:

ditches, dykes, drains and streams that are less than 4 metres (m) wide for most of their length in the parcel
natural unsurfaced roads, tracks, paths and bridleways, as long as you can still meet the requirements of this action

You cannot do this action:

outside the floodplain
above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Grassland	TG01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish or maintain a dense grassy area during the first year of your agreement
allow floodwater and surface runoff to flood and naturally subside over the parcel
remove non-biodegradable flood debris
remove soil compaction before starting work

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

plant a specified seed mix
remove or modify artificial drainage

You must not:

apply manure or fertiliser unless agreed as part of your agreement
fill in hollows and wet features in the field
store materials in the action area
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, BFS3, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, CLIG3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, LIG1, LIG2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CGS21, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CWT1
CS options	GS13, GS14, GS3, GS4, OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2, SW10, WT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW16: Flood mitigation on permanent grassland (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£330 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage a dense grass sward to:

intercept and slow surface runoff
store water from streams and rivers
allow floodwater to spread across a floodplain and naturally subside

The purpose is to:

provide space to allow a river and floodplain to reconnect
prevent flooding downstream

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on permanent grassland in the floodplain, where you’re connecting the river to the floodplain.

It can include:

ditches, dykes, drains and streams that are less than 4 metres (m) wide for most of their length in the parcel
natural unsurfaced roads, tracks, paths and bridleways, as long as you can still meet the requirements of this action
bracken
areas of scrub, rock outcrops and boulders up to 0.1ha

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You cannot do this action:

outside the floodplain
above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Temporary grassland	Grassland	TG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Boulders	Rock	RO03
Rocky outcrop	Rock	RO04
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish or maintain a dense grassy area during the first year of your agreement
allow floodwater and surface runoff to flood and naturally subside over the parcel
remove any non-biodegradable flood debris
remove soil compaction before starting any work

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

plant a specified seed mix
remove artificial drainage

You must not:

apply manure or fertiliser unless agreed with your adviser
fill in hollows and wet features in the field
store materials in the action area
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, BFS3, WBD7, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, CLIG3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, LIG1, LIG2, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CGS21, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4, CWT1
CS options	GS1, GS13, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2, SW10, WT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW22: Connect river and floodplain habitats (T3)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,242 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to restore river habitats to create a mosaic of wetland habitats that connect the river and floodplain. This will include:

varied habitats in the river such as pools, riffles, steep and shallow banks, overhanging trees and large woody material
erosion of some of the banks with gradual movement of the channel
a mosaic of changing wetland and drier habitats across the floodplain, such as marsh, fen, wet scrub, woodland and grasslands with areas of standing water, flowing water and bare wet ground

The purpose is to support biodiversity, climate adaptation, flood and drought management.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on a river and its floodplain that forms a natural hydrological unit. This means all land on a floodplain where the river naturally flows and floods.

For example, the river and floodplain are not affected by physical modifications such as continuous embankments, river deepening or artificial drainage.

You can only do this action if you have a river restoration plan agreed with Natural England.

You cannot do this action above the moorland line.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features - mixed	Notional features	NF08
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

prepare land to create wetland habitats and allow it to receive additional floodwater from adjacent watercourses
remove or disable any artificial land drainage, such as ditches, drains and pipes – you must agree all drainage works (including modification to existing drainage) in writing with Natural England before carrying out any activities
establish permanent vegetation cover (as set out in the river restoration plan)
remove non-biodegradable flood debris
control invasive non-native species
only use vehicles on agreed access routes (as set out in the river restoration plan)

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

manage part of the land by light grazing and keeping a monthly record of stock numbers
manage part of the land by cutting and removing all cut non-woody material
retain mature and veteran trees
retain standing or fallen deadwood unless it’s a flood risk to people and property
allow trees and scrub to establish on the riverbank and across the floodplain
establish a sward by the start of October in the first year of your agreement
remove soil compaction

You must not:

fill in hollows or wet features
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock
remove or control sediments in rivers or floodplains, unless agreed
carry out earthworks or maintain existing drainage, unless agreed
apply fertilisers, manures or lime
plough, cultivate or re-seed except as part of an agreed habitat enhancement programme
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
create new access routes for vehicles

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration. You must complete capital works by the date set out in your management plan.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CWD2
CS options	N/A
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

an agreed river restoration plan with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW23: Manage features on arable land for flood and drought resilience and water quality (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,241 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to reduce runoff from rainwater and store more surface and groundwater in arable land. You can do this by managing features such as sediment traps, bunds, swales and the area surrounding them.

The purpose is to help manage flood risk, improve drought resilience and improve water quality.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on arable land where the landscape, soil and geology provide conditions that benefit flood and drought resilience.

You cannot do this action:

in floodplains
above the moorland line

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel (minimum area of 0.25ha).

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain and create features to improve water quality and drought resilience (for example removing sediment from sediment traps)
remove artificial drainage
manage vegetation to maintain surface roughness and maintain an average sward height of 15cm (or taller) throughout the year
remove soil compaction before starting work
control invasive non-native species

You must not:

cut the land for silage or hay – topping to control scrub is allowed during late summer and early autumn to avoid disturbance to ground nesting birds
plough or cultivate the area (unless restoring grass species composition or removing compaction)
apply fertilisers or manures
use the land as access routes for vehicles or livestock
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFM1, PRF2, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OT1
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW24: Manage grassland for flood and drought resilience and water quality (T3)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£938 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to reduce runoff from rainwater and store more surface and groundwater in grasslands. You can do this through changes such as creating topographical features that will retain water after periods of high rainfall.

The purpose is to help reduce flooding, improve drought resilience and improve water quality.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on temporary or permanent grassland with low species diversity that have low to moderate fertility. You should do it on grassland where the landscape, soil and geology provide conditions that benefit flood and drought resilience.

You cannot do this action:

in floodplains
above the moorland line
on priority habitat such as species-rich unimproved grassland
where extractable soil phosphate levels exceed 25mg/l (‘Olsen P’ method)

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Temporary grassland (above the floodplain)	Arable land	TG01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel (minimum area of 0.25ha).

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

create and maintain new topographical features across at least 5% of the action’s area to slow and retain water for longer
remove or disable artificial drainage such as ditches, drains and pipes – you must agree all drainage works (including modification to existing drainage) in writing with Natural England before carrying out any activities
establish deep rooting plants
graze vegetation to maintain surface roughness throughout the year and maintain an average sward height of 15cm (or taller) during autumn and winter
keep a record of your grazing livestock
remove soil compaction before starting work
control invasive non-native species

You must not:

cut the land for silage – cutting for hay is allowed but you must avoid features and areas of compaction identified in your agreement
plough or cultivate unless you’re restoring grass species or removing compaction in the first year
supplementary feed except with mineral blocks
apply fertilisers or manures
create new access routes for vehicles or livestock
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, PRF2, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW25: Manage riparian and water edge habitats (T3)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,186 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to enhance and maintain a 12 to 24 metres (m) wide area of water-dependent habitat occurring between the land and the water’s edge of:

rivers and streams (riparian habitats)
lakes and ponds

This will include:

areas of marshy wildflower grassland, fen, reed and wetland species of scrub and trees
water loving plants, trees and shrubs occurring near the water’s edge on the bank and in low lying areas on the bank top
some trees and shrubs overhanging the river, lake or pond
standing and fallen deadwood
areas that flood seasonally
areas of river channel habitat when created by river widening as part of a river restoration plan (where there’s also 12m of habitat between the land and water’s edge)

The purpose is to deliver benefits for biodiversity, flood and drought management and water quality.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land with natural connectivity to a river, stream, lake, or pond, or where its natural connectivity is being restored. For example, so there’s no continuous embankment acting as a barrier to stop water moving between a river and an adjacent area of vegetation, such as fen, reed, or grassland.

You cannot do this action on land next to drainage ditches or highly modified systems, such as embankments.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	Permanent crops	TC01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Scattered manmade features	Notional features	NF07
Scattered features – mixed	Notional features	NF08
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available areas you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain a 12 to 24m wide area of undisturbed, diverse riparian or water edge habitats
remove or disable artificial drainage from the land to restore natural hydrological conditions – you must agree all drainage works (including modification to existing drainage) in writing with Natural England before carrying out any activities
establish or maintain permanent vegetation cover, including wetland plants, grasses, wildflowers, scrub and trees
retain all mature and veteran standing trees and all standing and fallen deadwood
remove all non-biodegradable flood debris

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

establish a mosaic of habitats in the first year of your agreement
complete capital works set out in your river restoration plan by the time agreed with your Natural England adviser
manage the area through appropriate grazing and cutting
control invasive non-native species
allow trees and scrub to establish and retain trees and woody material across the area
protect trees to prevent damage from livestock and wild animals
remove soil compaction

You must not:

fill hollows and wet features
store materials in the agreement area
apply fertilisers, manures or lime
use supplementary feed for grazing livestock
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
plough, harrow, roll, cultivate or re-seed unless it’s part of an agreed sward enhancement programme
use the land as access routes for vehicles or livestock
remove, replace or relocate historic structures
create or maintain hard standing, boardwalk or closely mown access routes parallel to the water, unless providing permissive access agreed with Natural England
damage or disturb legally protected or priority species

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CMOR1, UPL1, UPL2, UPL3, UPL7, UPL8, UPL9, UPL10, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CUP3, CUP8, CUP9, CUP10, CUP11, CUP12, CUP13, CUP14, CWD2, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWT3: Manage ditches of high environmental value (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£38 per 100 metres (m) per year for managing both sides of the ditch

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage ditches that either:

support target species of plants, birds, mammals and invertebrates
are important for delivering habitats such as wet grassland, wetland, lowland peat and floodplain meadow

The purpose is to improve the biodiversity of the ditch and provide wet conditions for the adjacent land parcels.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action where you have control of both sides of a ditch.

Where control is limited to one side of a ditch, you can still do this action if you’re able to achieve the aims.

You must get approval from your Natural England adviser to do this action.

You cannot do this action on ditches managed by third parties such as Internal Drainage Boards.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Grassland	TG01
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12

Available area you can enter into this action

Not applicable, as this is a linear action – you can choose what length of eligible ditches to enter into this action.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage ditch lengths rotationally by methods agreed with your adviser, normally between September and March to avoid disturbing wildlife
leave one side of the ditch (or sections of the ditch) unmanaged during any one operation as a refuge for species to recolonise the ditch
spread silt and vegetation cuttings thinly in the adjacent field – do not fill hollows or low areas in the field or spread on historic or archaeological features
allow bankside vegetation to naturally regenerate after ditch management – you can top bankside vegetation to control injurious weeds and re-establish the sward
maintain ditch water levels to a suitable depth for the ditch and adjacent habitats

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

cut above the base of the ditch leaving the roots in the base where vegetation in the ditch is removed by cutting
retain a fringe of emergent vegetation on one or both sides of the ditch
cut vegetation at the top of the ditch bank, leaving uncut sections as wildlife habitat
manage the cuttings so they do not damage the ditch habitat
trim hedges beside the ditch
control invasive non-native species

You must not:

re-profile or increase the width or depth of the ditch (unless agreed with your adviser)
allow vegetation to overhang more than half the width of the channel, along the majority of the ditch length (unless the ditch runs alongside woodland)
use permanent fencing next to ditches (unless agreed with your adviser)
manage all ditches in any one year (unless agreed with your adviser)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a licence from Natural England if your management affects a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWT16: Manage lakes and bodies of water greater than 2ha (T3)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£109 per lake or body of water plus £135 per hectare (ha) of lake or body of water per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage lakes or other bodies of water larger than 2 hectares (ha), so they’re in a good condition by the end of your agreement.

The purpose is to benefit biodiversity through maintaining and improving water quality and habitat quality.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action where you have management control of both the lake or body of water and the shore. If possible, you should include the whole lake or body of water in your agreement.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You should have an appropriate buffering, riparian or habitat action surrounding the lake or body of water, unless you get approval from your Natural England adviser to do this action on its own.

You cannot do this action where you’re likely to need to partially or fully drain the water during the lifetime of the agreement.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area of the lake or body of water.

This action is for lakes and other bodies of water larger than 2ha. If the waterbody is smaller than 2ha, you should use action CWT15: Manage ponds and bodies of water up to 2ha.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

naturalise the hydrology of the lake or body of water by allowing or replicating seasonal fluctuation of water levels
take steps within your control to maintain clear and unpolluted water
retain submerged or partially submerged deadwood

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

limit grazing around the lake margin
manage trees, scrub and other vegetation
manage margins around the waterbody by grazing or cutting
prevent the use of excess angling baits

You must not:

introduce plants or animals (including fish and waterfowl) to the waterbody, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
use supplementary feeding to enhance the growth or numbers of fish
artificially change the size, shape or structure of the waterbody or in-fill it, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
allow watercraft or water sports to harm the wildlife or damage the shore or body of water
add dyes to the water
feed wildfowl (if there’s public access to the pond, you should discourage wildfowl feeding)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	N/A
SFI 2023 actions	N/A
CSHT actions	N/A
CS options	N/A
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWT15: Manage ponds and bodies of water up to 2ha (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£424 per pond or body of water per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage permanent ponds, temporary ponds or other bodies of water up to 2 hectares (ha) that have a high wildlife value so they:

are more plentiful and varied
are less polluted

The purpose is to:

benefit biodiversity through maintaining and improving water quality and habitat quality
protect historic assets such as mill and stew ponds

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on:

a priority pond as identified by criteria or maps set out on the Freshwater Habitats Trust website](https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/waternet/priority-ponds/)
a body of water with characteristic flora or fauna, good water quality and natural water levels
a historic pond, such as a mill and stew pond

An eligible pond or body of water for this action must be:

more than 49 square metres
under your management control – this includes the pond or body of water and the shore

You’ll normally undertake an appropriate buffering, riparian or habitat action surrounding the pond or body of water. This is unless you get approval from your Natural England adviser to do this action on its own.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent crops	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Sports and recreation	Recreational land	RL03
Golf course	Recreational land	RL04
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12

Available area you can enter into this action

Not applicable. You’ll enter the number of ponds or waterbodies.

This action is for ponds and other bodies of water up to 2ha. If the waterbody is larger than 2ha, you should use action CWT16: Manage lakes and bodies of water greater than 2ha.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage trees, scrub and other vegetation
naturalise the hydrology of the pond or body of water by allowing or replicating seasonal fluctuation of water levels
maintain clear, unpolluted water
retain some submerged or partially submerged deadwood

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

manage margins around the waterbody by grazing or cutting
maintain a cover of submerged and floating aquatic plants and marginal vegetation
prevent the use of excess angling baits

You must not:

connect ponds to inflowing streams, ditches or drains
introduce plants or animals (including fish and waterfowl) to the waterbody, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
allow the supplementary feeding of fish stocks
artificially change the size, shape or structure of the waterbody or in-fill it, unless agreed
add dyes to the water
feed wildfowl (if there’s public access to the pond, you should discourage wildfowl feeding)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	N/A
SFI 2023 actions	N/A
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CSP21
CS options	N/A
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may also need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW26: Enhanced floodplain storage supplement (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£366 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to increase floodwater storage in floodplains so that they hold more water for longer. You can do this by managing features such as:

swales (channels)
temporary ponds or depressions

The purpose is to slow the flow of water off floodplains to deliver benefits for flood and drought management.

Where you can do this action

You can do this supplementary action on land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship base actions:

CGS26: Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs
CSW7: Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input
CSW15: Flood mitigation on arable reversion to grassland
CSW16: Flood mitigation on permanent grassland
CGS4: Herbal leys
CGS25: Legumes on improved grassland

You can only do this action on land that:

is in a floodplain and actively floods
has water-retaining features by the end of year 1 on at least 20% of the land area covered by the action

You cannot do this action on a priority habitat.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain temporary water storage features
remove build-up of sediment, woody debris and non-biological debris after flooding

You must not:

apply fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
allow vehicle access except on agreed routes
create new access routes for vehicles

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a parcel level
associated invoices
photographs relevant to the action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSW14: Nil fertiliser supplement (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£156 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that no fertiliser or manure is applied to the land you enter into it.

The purpose is to reduce the risk of nitrate loss into ground and surface water.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land that’s entered into either:

CSW7: Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input
CSW8: Manage intensive grassland adjacent to a watercourse

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action you must not apply any fertiliser or manures to the area you enter into this action.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

field operations at a land parcel level
relevant invoices including seed invoices

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need to get:

advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 19

Wetland

Accepted Answer

CWT10: Manage lowland raised bog (T4)

CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics (T4)

CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics (T4)

CWT12: Wetland grazing supplement (T4)

CSP2: Rewetting supplement (T4)

CWT10: Manage lowland raised bog (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£215 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to:

maintain the rain-fed water table close to the surface of peat
allow there to be a cover of characteristic bog vegetation
reduce the amount of invasive bracken, scrub or non-native species on the bog

The purpose is to:

maintain and restore priority lowland bog habitat
control vegetation and native trees to stop peat from drying out
allow the bog to continue to store carbon

Where you can do this action

You can only do this action on priority lowland raised bog habitat which can be kept wet enough for peat to form.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

You must maintain water levels at the surface of the bog with rainfall only.

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

control scrub and other undesirable species
dispose of cut material appropriately
maintain structures that help to control water levels

You must not:

apply fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC2, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20,
CS options	OR2, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
to obtain the necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£920 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to maintain or restore reedbed, fen or wetland habitat mosaic (including mires and flushes).

The purpose is to:

increase biodiversity, by supporting a diverse range of target species
store carbon
reduce flood risk
improve water quality
protect archaeological sites with waterlogged remains

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

fen, reedbed or a mosaic of wetland habitats which can include mires and flushes
fen, reedbed or wetland mosaic habitat with potential for restoration
located below the moorland line

You cannot do this action on reedbeds and constructed wetlands that have been created to clean the water.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Salt marsh	Marine wetland	MW01
Tidal areas	Marine wetland	MW02
Reed bed	Marine wetland	MW03
Intertidal habitats	Marine wetland	MW04
Saline habitats	Marine wetland	MW05
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

provide suitable hydrological conditions for the target habitats
manage the fen, reedbed or wetland mosaic to maintain clear, unpolluted water
manage trees and scrub so usually cover no more than 10% of the area – your adviser will agree the area of trees and scrub with you
dispose of cut material using agreed methods

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

control invasive non-native species
manage scrub and other species to agreed levels

You must not:

apply fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC2, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20,
CS options	OR2, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may need to:

agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a licence from Natural England if your management affects a protected species or their habitat
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics (T4)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£1,605 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to create new reedbed, fen or wetland habitat mosaic (including mires and flushes) on land that currently has low wildlife value.

The purpose is to:

increase biodiversity, by supporting a diverse range of target species
store carbon
reduce flood risk
improve water quality
protect archaeological sites with waterlogged remains

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land that:

is arable land, temporary grassland, or improved grassland in a suitable location, if agreed by a Natural England adviser
is a wetland or grassland habitat in poor condition, if agreed by a Natural England specialist
has a suitable water supply (quality and quantity) for the target wetland habitat
is located below the moorland line

You can only do this action if you have a feasibility study or implementation plan agreed with Natural England. The study or plan will tell you if your land is suitable for this action.

You cannot do this action if it:

could damage historic or archaeological features
could flood someone else’s land
is associated with poor water quality

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	Inland water	IW03
Fen, marsh and swamp	Inland wetland	IW06
Bog	Inland wetland	IW07
Reedbeds	Non-agricultural land	MW03
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish fen, reedbed or wetland mosaic (as set out in your feasibility study or implementation plan)
provide suitable hydrological conditions for the target habitats
manage the fen, reedbed or wetland mosaic to maintain clear, unpolluted water
manage trees and scrub so usually cover no more than 10% of the area – your adviser will agree the area of trees and scrub with you
dispose of cut material using agreed methods
only carry out agreed earthworks

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

control invasive non-native species
manage vegetation in an agreed way when you’re establishing the wetland
manage scrub and other species to agreed levels

You must not:

apply fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20,
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) or where land drainage or changing water levels affect nearby SSSIs
to obtain the necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a licence from Natural England if your management affects a protected species or their habitat
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWT12: Wetland grazing supplement (T4)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£566 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that you graze wetland habitats appropriately.

The purpose is to:

maintain suitable vegetation conditions for the plants and other species that live in the wetland habitat
help maintain local management techniques and traditions at threat of loss

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:

CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics
CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics
CWT10: Manage lowland raised bog

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this supplemental action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

graze at specific times to achieve a suitable vegetation structure
keep a monthly stocking record

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including stock records to show grazing activity on parcels.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a licence from Natural England if your management affects a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CSP2: Rewetting supplement (T4)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£181 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to re-wet land or keep existing wet land wet.

The purpose is to:

increase biodiversity
store carbon
reduce flood risk
improve water quality
protect historic and archaeological features

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action in combination with a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base action if:

there’s a need to restore habitat wetness or manage the habitat so it’s continually wet
the base action does not cover the cost of time-consuming management or significant changes to existing practices are needed to achieve the action’s aim

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

You can do this supplemental action with the following CSHT base actions:

CLH1: Manage lowland heathland
CLH2: Restore lowland heathland
CLH3: Create lowland heathland
CWD8: Create scrub and open habitat mosaics
CWD7: Manage scrub and open habitat mosaics
CWD20: Create wood pasture
CWD22: Manage wood pasture
CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland
CWD2: Woodland improvement
CUP3: General moorland management
CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland
CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features

You’ll need approval from a Natural England specialist to do this supplemental action with the following CSHT base actions:

CGS18: Manage species-rich floodplain meadows
CWT3: Manage ditches of high environmental value
CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl
CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders
CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics
CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics
CWT10: Manage lowland raised bog
CCT8: Manage and restore coastal sand dunes
CCT9: Manage and restore coastal vegetated shingle
CCT2: Make space for new coastal habitat
CCT10: Manage and restore maritime cliffs and slopes

You cannot do this action:

where land management actions (such as burning or cutting, unless part of an agreed restoration wildfire mitigation plan) or infrastructure (such as field drains or tracks) are incompatible with rewetting
in combination with any other actions or supplements that support wetting up, natural flood management or drought resilience
where your feasibility study shows you’re unlikely to be able to re-wet the area

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must: re-wet land, or keep existing land wet, to provide suitable hydrological conditions for the target habitats. To do this you’ll need to either:

restore the natural water table or water flow
raise and manage water levels in ditches and adjacent land
keep land wet through appropriate management

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

You may need to:

get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a licence from Natural England if your management affects a protected species or their habitat
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get planning consent or permission (as appropriate) to divert a public right of way from your local planning authority, if your agreement requires installation of bunds or embankments within the floodplain

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 20

Woodland and trees

Accepted Answer

CWD1: Woodland creation maintenance (T2)

CWD2: Woodland improvement (T2)

CWS2: Manage and restore plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) supplement (T2)

CWS8: Manage native woodland including ancient semi-natural woodlands (ASNW) supplement (T2)

CWS5: Improve woodland resilience supplement (T2)

CWS7: Manage historic features in woodlands supplement (T2)

CWS9: Manage woodlands for flood and drought mitigation supplement (T2)

CWS10: 2-zone rides supplement (T2)

CWS11: 3-zone rides supplement (T2)

CES6: Maintain features for wildfire management (fire belts) supplement (T2)

CWD1: Woodland creation maintenance (T2)

Duration

15 years

How much you’ll be paid

£400 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is that you maintain woodland created under the former Countryside Stewardship (CS) Woodland Creation grant – the grant is now closed. This action will support newly planted trees to become established in a healthy condition.

The purpose is to maintain new woodland to:

successfully establish woodland after 15 years
support wildlife, by linking habitats together or providing a protective buffer between them
reduce the risk of floods, improve water quality and prevent soil erosion
be resilient and adapt to climate change
enhance the landscape

Where you can do this action

You must have completed tree planting under your CS Woodland Creation grant before you can carry out this action. The Forestry Commission will invite you to apply for this action when tree planting capital works are complete.

You can still apply to create woodland through the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). Annual maintenance payments for EWCO are available as part of that offer. Read the EWCO Grant Manual for further details.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:  

replace any newly planted trees that die
maintain fences, tree shelters and spiral guards
maintain areas of open space such as woodland rides
remove and dispose of tree guards once the trees are established and by the last year of your agreement
keep all newly planted trees free from competing vegetation for 15 years by using approved herbicides, mulch or a clearing saw, hook or scythe

You must not use herbicides on land next to a watercourse.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

photographs showing the level of maintenance in years 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15
bank statements, receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
records of management activity on the option area for each parcel

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	N/A
SFI 2023 actions	N/A
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	N/A
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWD2: Woodland improvement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

A minimum of £500 per year or £127 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to bring woodlands into sustainable management in line with the UK Forestry Standard.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for net zero and woodland biodiversity.

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on established woodlands that:

are more than 15 years old – this may include areas of young trees, for example, re-stocked areas
are at least 0.5ha in size
have an average width of at least 20 metres (m)

You can only do this action if you have a woodland management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Gallop	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT01
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03
Woodland	Natural woodland	WO12
Scrub	Natural woodland	WO25

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

carry out operational site assessments prior to any work taking place
create or manage appropriate levels of open space, 1-zone access rides or a combination of both (a 1-zone ride is a linear open space with a central grass zone)
create or maintain appropriate levels of deadwood habitat in line with the UK Forestry Standard
submit a Woodland Condition Assessment in years 1 and 9 of your agreement
submit monitoring reports in years 5 and 9 of your agreement - you can use the Forestry Commission’s monitoring report templates to help you

The advice you’re given from the Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to remove or control:

invasive non-native plant and animal species
some native deer species (as agreed with your Forestry Commission woodland officer)

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	N/A
SFI 2023 actions	N/A
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CSW22, CPAC1, CHS4
CS options	HS1, HS4, HS6, HS8,
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS2: Manage and restore plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) supplement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£275 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to restore and manage plantations on ancient woodland sites.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for net zero and biodiversity.

Where you can do this action

You can only use this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CWD2: Woodland improvement action.

You can do this supplemental action on established woodlands that are a plantation on ancient woodland site (PAWS). This can be identified either on Natural England’s ‘Ancient Woodland Inventory’ as a parcel with PAWS status, or on the Magic Map system as Ancient Replanted Woodland or identified in your woodland management plan.

You can only do this action if you have a woodland management plan agreed with Forestry Commission.

You cannot do this supplemental action on the same land as:

CWS8: Manage native woodland including ancient and semi-natural woodland (ASNW)
CWS5: Improve woodland resilience

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

The advice you’re given from Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

reduce the percentage of conifer/non-native trees
identify, map and tag existing and future veteran trees
manage woodlands through coppicing, thinning, selective felling or regeneration felling
manage areas of scrub to create a mix of woodland scrub habitats
maintain restocked areas to make sure trees are established
avoid using herbicides in areas with a surviving semi-natural ground flora, such as wild herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS8: Manage native woodland including ancient semi-natural woodlands (ASNW) supplement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£144 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to manage native woodland, including ancient and semi-natural woodlands.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for net zero and biodiversity.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CWD2: Woodland improvement action.

You can do this supplemental action on established woodlands that are native woodland. This is a woodland mainly or entirely composed of native species.

You can only do this action if you have a woodland management plan agreed with Forestry Commission.

You cannot do this supplemental action on the same land as:

CSW8: Manage and restore plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS)
CWS5: Improve woodland resilience

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

The advice you’re given from Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

manage trees by coppicing, thinning, selective felling or regenerative felling
identify, map and tag existing and future veteran trees
manage areas of scrub to create a mix of woodland scrub habitats
maintain restocked areas and manage grazing to make sure trees are established
avoid using herbicides in areas with a surviving semi-natural ground flora, such as wild herbs, grasses, ferns and mosses

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS5: Improve woodland resilience supplement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£202 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to increase the mixture of tree species and structural diversity in woodlands through changes to management activities.

The purpose is to make woodlands more resilient to current and future threats arising from climate change such as:

increased risk from pest and disease
prolonged dry weather and strong winds

Where you can do this action

You can only use this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CWD2: Woodland improvement action.

You can do this supplemental action on established woodlands that are identified in your woodland management plan.

You can only do this action if you have a woodland management plan agreed with Forestry Commission.

You cannot do this supplemental action on the same land as:

CSW8: Manage and restore plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS)
CSW2: Manage native woodland including ancient and semi-natural woodland

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must restructure your woodlands to increase the species and structural diversity through management of your woodland.

The advice you’re given from the Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

implement continuous cover forestry principles
carry out thinning
undertake regeneration felling and conventional felling
manage all restocked and regenerated areas to make sure trees establish successfully

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS7: Manage historic features in woodlands supplement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£943 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to manage historic features in woodlands, including scheduled monuments.

The purpose is to deliver benefits to:

protect historic features above and below ground
reduce the number of features in woodland on the Heritage at Risk register

Where you can do this action

You can only use this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CWD2: Woodland improvement.

You can do this supplemental action in established woodlands that either contain a historic or archaeological feature:

identified on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)
identified by you and agreed with a Forestry Commission woodland officer

You can only use this supplemental action on the actual area of the scheduled monument or historic feature

You can only do this action if you have a woodland management plan agreed with Forestry Commission.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

The advice you’re given from Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

manage scrub and tree growth to protect the historic feature above and below ground
annually monitor the condition of trees growing on historic features
move vehicle or other access routes at least 6m away from historic and archaeological features and at least 20m away from scheduled monuments
maintain appropriate vegetation cover to reduce bare soil patches and limit erosion
get consent for the removal of mature trees
carry out appropriate management such as coppicing, felling or tree surgery on trees that could damage an historic feature
retain stumps and roots

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS9: Manage woodlands for flood and drought mitigation supplement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£56 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to manage woodland to retain water through enhanced soil infiltration and temporary water storage features.

The purpose is to deliver benefits for:

natural flood management
improved water resources and water quality

Where you can do this action

You can only use this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CWD2: Woodland improvement action.

You can only do this action if you have a woodland management plan and an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with the Forestry Commission.

You can do this supplemental action on established woodlands that are identified in your woodland management plan as having potential to hold water on site.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must agree work to retain water or slow water flow with your Forestry Commission woodland officer before starting work.

The advice you’re given from the Forestry Commission is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

retain hollows and wet features in woodland
remove or disable artificial drainage
restore natural hydrological conditions, such as springs and seepage features
retain woody material and naturally formed log jams in watercourses, unless it would increase the flood risk outside the agreement area or prevent fish movement

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Forestry Commission woodland officer
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
obtain the necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB), before starting any work
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS10: 2-zone rides supplement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£60 per hectare (ha) per year for the area of the ride

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to manage 2-zone rides in woodlands.

A ride is a linear open space in a woodland. In most woodlands, rides are access paths or tracks.

A 2-zone ride consists of:

a central grass area which is cut annually and consists mostly of short grass and compact flowering plants
an herbaceous zone on either side that’s dominated by medium to tall grasses and flowering plants – the herbaceous zone may include scrub

The purpose is to create and manage a diverse ride structure to:

deliver benefits for biodiversity
provide habitat corridors for wildlife

Where you can do this action

You can only use this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CWD2: woodland improvement action.

You can only do this action if you have a woodland management plan agreed with Forestry Commission.

You cannot do this supplemental action on the same land as CWS11: manage 3-zone rides.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage rides identified in your agreement
maintain 2-zones along the ride, made up of a mix of grass and herbaceous habitats – the ride’s structure can include pinch points, irregular edges and small glades where rides intersect

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWS11: 3-zone rides supplement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£197 per hectare (ha) per year for the area of the ride

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to manage 3-zone rides in woodlands.

A ride is a linear open space in a woodland. In most woodlands, rides are access paths or tracks.

A 3-zone ride consists of:

a central grass area which is cut annually and consists mostly of short grass and compact flowering plants
an herbaceous zone on either side that’s dominated by medium to tall grasses and flowering plants – the herbaceous zone may include scrub
a shrub zone on either side – this should be a transition zone between the trees and the open area

The purpose is to create and manage a diverse ride structure to:

deliver benefits for biodiversity
provide habitat corridors for wildlife

Where you can do this action

You can only use this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CWD2: woodland improvement action.

You can only do this action if you have a woodland management plan agreed with Forestry Commission.

You cannot do this supplemental action on the same land as CWS10: Manage 2-zone rides.

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

manage rides identified in your agreement
maintain 3-zones along the ride that’s made up of the grass layer, the herbaceous layer and the shrub layer with occasional trees – the ride’s structure can include pinch points, irregular edges and small glades where rides intersect

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CES6: Maintain features for wildfire management (fire belts) supplement (T2)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£861 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to maintain fire belts to disrupt the movement of wildfires across woodland.

The purpose is to provide strategic breaks in woodland for fire suppression. You can do this by using a gap in vegetation or combustible matter as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a fire.

Fire belts are strips of woodland composed of fire-resistant (usually broad-leaved) species. They help maintain a ‘clean’ forest floor and prevent or reduce the spread of surface fires.

Where you can do this action

You can only use this supplemental action in combination with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action CWD2: Woodland improvement action.

You can only do this action on:

woodland that has a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special area of conservation (SAC) or special protection area (SPA) that has an existing consent or assent from Natural England

You cannot do this supplemental action:

on peat soils more than 10 centimetres (cm) in depth
within 6 metres (m) of a historic or archaeological feature identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

maintain fire belts on the agreed area
carry out pruning of trees to a height specified by your Forestry Commission woodland officer
remove tree debris from the fire belts to a safe location, agreed with your adviser
remove standing or fallen deadwood to an agreed location
remove any tree tubes and guarding as soon as possible to reduce flammable material

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
to get a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action

You may need to:

get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Defra and its delivery bodies, including Natural England and the Forestry Commission, exempt itself of any and all liability in the event of wildfire. Wildfires are necessarily unpredictable events and Defra and its delivery bodies aim to minimise the likelihood of them occurring (or the damage of the same if such an event occurs) but do not and cannot exclude the possibility of a wildfire taking place. The condition of your land and its susceptibility to the risk of wildfire is a matter for which you as a farmer or landowner are solely responsible and liable.

For the avoidance of doubt, Defra and its delivery bodies shall not be liable for any consequential, indirect or special loss nor for any of the following (whether direct or indirect): loss of property, loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of data, damage to profit, loss of use, loss of production, loss of contract, loss of commercial opportunity, loss of business, harm to reputation, or loss of goodwill and/or wasted expenditure.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Question 21

Wood pasture

Accepted Answer

CWD20: Create wood pasture (T3)

CWD22: Manage wood pasture and parkland (T3)

CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland (T3)

CWD20: Create wood pasture (T3)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£544 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to create new wood pasture with a mosaic of scrub, trees and open semi-natural habitats.

The purpose is to provide:

habitats that offer sources of food and shelter for wildlife, including invertebrates, fungi and birds
open habitats including grassland and heathland within the wood pasture for grazing livestock
enhanced landscape character by establishing trees and shrubs and retaining all existing mature and veteran trees

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on land where it extends, links, buffers or creates stepping stones between existing:

scrub
woodland
wood-pasture
hedgerows
other tree-outside-woodland habitats
other nature-rich habitats

You can also do this action in areas already inhabited by priority species such as dormouse or high brown fritillary butterfly, or other target species identified by your Natural England adviser.

It may be possible to do this action on other types of woodland – you would need to agree this with the Forestry Commission and Natural England.

To use this action, you must avoid negative impacts on existing historic, archaeological, environmental or landscape features.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Woodland	Wood	WO12
Scrub	Scrub	WO25
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land and work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

establish saplings and young trees through natural regeneration or planting
establish a suitable number of trees at each life stage (sapling, young tree, medium size tree, mature tree) of the same species and form as any existing veteran trees
keep and manage any open-grown or pollarded trees to extend their longevity
protect the trees (including any veteran and ancient trees and their rootstocks) from avoidable harm, including from machinery and grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits
protect newly planted trees and replace any planted trees that fail to establish
leave any standing, attached and fallen deadwood in place (any exceptions will be agreed with your Natural England adviser)
establish and manage an agreed area of native scrub with a variety of different heights, widths, shapes and species
avoid compaction and poaching around trees

To create and manage the sward, you must:

ensure it is intact throughout the year, without compacted areas or poaching
minimise bare ground so the soil is covered by vegetation and is not directly exposed to the elements
follow a stocking calendar as agreed with your Natural England adviser
maintain areas of shorter and longer vegetation, either by cutting or grazing with appropriate species, such as traditional cattle breeds
allow wildflowers, sedges and grasses to flower and set seed in the spring and summer
allow flower, sedge and grass seed heads to be left undisturbed through the autumn and winter
maintain a continuous grass cover over historic and archaeological features so bare patches are kept to a minimum

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

look after veteran trees, for example by removing young trees which have grown too close to them, or applying wood mulch to the root protection area
manage existing wet areas, ponds and water features
maintain the current water regime of any existing water features
carry out additional management activities to provide benefits to target features, habitats or species as identified in your feasibility study or implementation plan
restore, protect and maintain any designed landscape or parkland features as agreed with your Natural England adviser

You must not:

apply any fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
pull or burn uncut scrub
remove stumps of cut trees and shrubs
burn cut scrub and trees
plough, harrow, cultivate, reseed, roll or lime, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed, except for the use of mineral blocks or other forms of feed for livestock handling or habitat management purposes as agreed by your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed on historic and archaeological sites
use feeders, or supplementary feed under or within 5m of tree canopies
alter the depth, shape or profile and design of existing built water bodies and associated engineering
plant trees or allow natural regeneration on or near sensitive habitats or features
carry out any drainage works or modification to existing drainage, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

photographs
associated invoices
field operations at the parcel level

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CMOR1, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
to share your implementation plan or feasibility study with your local Forestry Commission woodland officer so they can advise if a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required
advice from Historic England for grade 1 or grade 2* historic parks if the creation of wood pasture is within an existing park
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may need to:

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWD22: Manage wood pasture and parkland (T3)

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£212 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to manage existing wood pasture or parkland with a mosaic of grassland vegetation and trees on sites that support:

mature and veteran trees
standing, attached and fallen deadwood
designed landscape and parkland features, such as tree avenues

The purpose is to:

provide enough trees at each life stage to become future veteran trees, including trees of the same species and form
provide habitat which offers sources of food and shelter for wildlife, such as invertebrates, fungi and birds
provide grassland or heathland habitat within wood pasture
maintain historic, archaeological or designed landscape features in historic parkland

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on wood pasture or parkland in good condition. This includes recreational parkland where it forms part of the farmed environment. To use this action, you must avoid negative impacts on existing historic, archaeological, environmental or landscape features.

You can find wood pasture and parkland on the BAP Priority Habitat map layer on Magic or have the eligible area confirmed by your Natural England adviser.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Woodland	Wood	WO12
Scrub	Scrub	WO25
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land and work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

keep and manage any open-grown or pollarded trees to extend their longevity
maintain the existing trees
protect newly planted trees and replace any planted trees that fail to establish
protect the trees (including any veteran and ancient trees and their rootstocks) from avoidable harm, including by machinery and grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits
leave any standing, attached and fallen deadwood in place (any exceptions will be agreed with your Natural England adviser)
maintain a suitable number of trees at each life stage (sapling, young tree, medium size tree, mature tree) of the same species and form as any existing veteran trees
manage an agreed area of native scrub with a variety of different heights, widths, shapes and species
avoid compaction and poaching around trees

To manage the sward, you must:

ensure it is intact throughout the year, without compacted areas or poaching
minimise bare ground so the soil is covered by vegetation and is not directly exposed to the elements
follow a stocking calendar or cutting regime (or a combination of both) as agreed with your Natural England adviser
maintain areas of shorter and longer vegetation, either by cutting or grazing with appropriate species, such as traditional breeds cattle
allow wildflowers, sedges and grasses to flower and set seed in the spring and summer
allow flower, sedge and grass seed heads to be left undisturbed during the autumn and winter months
maintain a continuous grass cover over historic and archaeological features so bare patches are kept to a minimum
protect and maintain any designed landscape or parkland features as agreed with your Natural England adviser

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

look after veteran trees, for example by removing young trees which have grown too close to them, or applying wood mulch to the root protection area
protect historic and archaeological features and carry out maintenance works and minor repairs on structural historic or archaeological features on a ‘like for like’ basis to keep the character of the feature in its local setting
protect historic features, such as parkland fences, railings or historic boundaries with an undisturbed buffer adjacent to the edge of the feature - do not cultivate or allow scrub to develop within the buffer
manage existing wet areas, ponds and water features
maintain the current water regime of any existing historic water features
carry out additional management activities to provide benefits to target features, habitats or species as identified in your feasibility study or implementation plan

You must not:

apply any fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides - you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
pull or burn uncut scrub
remove stumps of cut trees and scrub
burn cut scrub and trees
plough, harrow, cultivate, reseed, roll or lime, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed, except for the use of mineral blocks or other forms of feed for livestock handling or habitat management purposes as agreed by your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed on historic and archaeological sites
use feeders, or supplementary feed under or within 5m of tree canopies
alter the depth, shape, profile and design of existing built water bodies and associated engineering
plant trees or allow natural regeneration on or near sensitive habitats or features
carry out drainage works or modification to existing drainage unless agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

photographs
associated invoices
field operations at the parcel level

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CMOR1, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
to share your implementation plan or feasibility study with your local Forestry Commission woodland officer so they can advise if a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
advice from Historic England for grade 1 or grade 2* historic parks
advice from the Gardens Trust for registered parks grade 2 and below
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need:

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland (T3)

Duration

10 years

How much you’ll be paid

£371 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This action’s aim is to restore existing wood pasture and parkland on sites that support:

mature and veteran trees
undisturbed standing, attached and fallen deadwood
designed landscape and parkland features, such as tree avenues

The purpose is to:

provide habitat which offers food and shelter for wildlife, including invertebrates, fungi and birds
provide grazing on open habitats including grassland and heathland for livestock
benefit the landscape character by establishing trees and retaining mature and veteran trees
maintain and restore historic, archaeological or designed landscape features in historic parkland

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on wood pasture and parkland (or infilled wood pasture and parkland). This includes recreational parkland where it forms part of the farmed environment. To use this action, you must avoid negative impacts on existing historic, archaeological, environmental or landscape features.

You can find wood pasture and parkland on the BAP Priority Habitat map layer on Magic or have the eligible area confirmed by your adviser.

You can only do this action if you have an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England.

Eligible land

You can do this action on agricultural land that’s:

an eligible land type
registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01
Bracken, heather and heathland	Heath land and bracken	HE02
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	Non-agricultural area	NA02
Track - natural surface	Natural transport - tracks and gallops	NT03
Woodland	Wood	WO12
Scrub	Scrub	WO25
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	Inland water	IW02
Scattered rock	Notional features	NF01
Scattered bracken or heather	Notional features	NF02
Scattered scrub	Notional features	NF03
Scattered water features	Notional features	NF05
Scattered natural features	Notional features	NF06
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	Water or irrigation features	WF01
Pond	Water or irrigation features	WF03

Available area you can enter into this action

Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land and work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:

keep and manage existing open-grown or pollarded trees to extend their longevity
look after veteran trees, for example by removing young trees which have grown too close to them, or applying wood mulch to the root protection area
protect the trees (including any veteran and ancient trees and their rootstocks) from avoidable harm, including by machinery, grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits
leave any standing, attached and fallen deadwood in place (any exceptions will be agreed with your Natural England adviser)
establish a suitable number of trees at each life stage (sapling, young tree, medium size tree, mature tree) of the same species and form as the existing veteran trees
establish saplings and young trees through natural regeneration or planting
protect newly planted trees and replace any planted trees that fail to establish
establish and manage an agreed area of native scrub with a variety of different heights, widths, shapes and species
avoid compaction and poaching around trees

To restore and manage the sward, you must:

ensure it is intact throughout the year, without compacted areas or poaching
minimise bare ground so the soil is covered by vegetation and is not directly exposed to the elements
follow a stocking calendar or cutting regime (or a combination of both) agreed with your Natural England adviser
maintain areas of shorter and longer vegetation, either by cutting or grazing with appropriate species, such as traditional breeds of cattle
allow wildflowers, sedges and grasses to flower and set seed in the spring and summer
allow flower, sedge and grass seed heads to be left undisturbed during the autumn and winter
maintain a continuous grass cover over historic and archaeological features so bare patches are kept to a minimum
restore, protect and maintain any designed landscape or parkland features as agreed with your Natural England adviser

The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:

restore and protect historic and archaeological features and carry out maintenance works and minor repairs on structural historic or archaeological features on a ‘like for like’ basis to keep the character of the feature in its local setting
restore and protect historic features, such as parkland fences, railings or historic boundaries with an undisturbed buffer adjacent to the edge of the feature – do not cultivate or allow scrub to develop within the buffer
manage existing wet areas, ponds and water features
maintain the current water regime of any existing historic water features
carry out additional management activities to provide benefits to target features, habitats or species, as identified in your feasibility study or implementation plan

You must not:

apply fertilisers or manures
apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
pull or burn uncut scrub
remove stumps of cut trees and shrubs
burn cut scrub and trees
plough, harrow, cultivate, reseed, roll or lime, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed except for the use of mineral blocks or other forms of feed agreed by your Natural England adviser
supplementary feed on historic and archaeological sites
use feeders, or supplementary feed under or within 5m of tree canopies
alter the depth, shape, profile and design of existing built water bodies and associated engineering
plant trees or allow natural regeneration on or near sensitive habitats or features
carry out any drainage works or modification to existing drainage, unless agreed with your Natural England adviser

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:

photographs
associated invoices
land parcel field records

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC2, OFM1, OFM2, CMOR1, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, MOR1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1
CS options	OR1, OR2, OT1, OT2
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

CSHT actions: CWT3
SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2, WBD10
SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
CS option BE3: Management of hedgerows
the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:

to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
to share your implementation plan or feasibility study with your local Forestry Commission woodland officer so they can advise if a forestry environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required
Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
advice from Historic England for grade 1 or grade 2* historic parks
advice from the Gardens Trust for registered parks below grade 2
consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You may also need:

All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding.

You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Scheme	Action or option code
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM1, OFC1, OFC3, OFM1, OFM4, AGF1, AGF2, PRF1, PRF3, CIPM1, CNUM1
SFI 2023 actions	SAM1, IPM1, NUM1
CSHT actions	CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CWS1, CWS3, CSP21, CSP20, CPAC1, CAGF1, CAGF3, CAGF2, CAGF4
CS options	OR1, OR3, OT1, OT3
ES options	N/A
SFI pilot standards	N/A

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Applies to England

Agroforestry

CAGF1: Manage high density in-field agroforestry (T4)

Duration

How much you’ll be paid

Action’s aim

Where you can do this action

Eligible land

Available area you can enter into this action

Rotational or static action

What to do

When to do it

Evidence to keep

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

Capital grants to support this action

CAGF3: Manage medium density in-field agroforestry (T4)

Duration

How much you’ll be paid

Action’s aim

Where you can do this action

Eligible land

Available area you can enter into this action

Rotational or static action

What to do

When to do it

Evidence to keep

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

Capital grants to support this action

CAGF2: Manage low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land (T4)

Duration

How much you’ll be paid

Action’s aim

Where you can do this action

Eligible land

Available area you can enter into this action

Rotational or static action

What to do

When to do it

Evidence to keep

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

Capital grants to support this action

CAGF4: Manage very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land (T4)

Duration

How much you’ll be paid

Action’s aim

Where you can do this action

Eligible land

Available area you can enter into this action

Rotational or static action

What to do

When to do it

Evidence to keep

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

Capital grants to support this action

Boundary features

CHRW4: Manage hedgerows (T6)

Duration

How much you’ll be paid

Action’s aim

Where you can do this action

Eligible land

Available area you can enter into this action

Rotational or static action

What to do

When to do it

Evidence to keep

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

Capital grants to support this action

Buffer strips

CWT1: Buffer in-field ponds and ditches on improved grassland (T6)

Duration

How much you’ll be paid

Action’s aim

Where you can do this action

Eligible land