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More Flexibility for the Entry Level Scheme

12/07/2005

Chartered surveyors Fisher German report that greater flexibility is now available for those wishing to enter the Entry Level and Organic Entry Level tiers of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.  The original plan of restricting farmers to quarterly start dates has been abolished and agreements will now start at monthly intervals to enable as many applicants to get agreements underway at the earliest opportunity.

Andrew Ranson of the Banbury office reports ‘Although we have a large number of clients interested in applying for the ELS, very few of them have been in a position to receive their application pack as they are still awaiting accurate plans of their holdings to be agreed.’

DEFRA had underestimated the amount of work involved with correctly mapping English holdings which turned into a complete fiasco in the run up to the 16 May deadline for the Single Payments Scheme.  Many landowners reported that their plans were becoming more inaccurate as second and third versions were sent out to them.

Andrew Ranson reports ‘It is important to consider the management options carefully to ensure points are maximised for the environmental benefits that farmers are already providing and for simple options such as providing a soil management plan which producers will have to do under cross compliance for the Single Payment Scheme in 2006.’ 

Fisher German recommend that those landowners keen to go into the scheme should register their interest with DEFRA which should result in any outstanding IACS 22 forms being prioritised and as soon as their plans have been agreed as accurate. They should then receive an ELS application form. 

Applications to the Higher Level Scheme will remain quarterly although the main focus is for applicants to enter the ELS Scheme first.

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