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Change to Grant Scheme Benefits Farmers

Stephen Rutledge 1.jpg
05/12/2005 Stephen Rutledge BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV Partner Stephen specialises in property valuations but also deals with estate management, development and planning consultancy.


PondStephen Rutledge of Fisher German says that over half of Britain, including nearly all the Midlands now falls within the grant scheme.

He said that the new changes, which provide discretionary funding to farmers in “Nitrate Vulnerable Zones”, include making applications in advance of work being carried out, a new end date in early 2006 and new deadlines for grant applications.

“Many farmers could miss out if they are not careful and take advice now,” added Stephen Rutledge.

Farmers located in NVZ’s are required by law to improve manure and slurry storage facilities and undertake certain measures to reduce Nitrate leaching, which include providing adequate slurry storage facilities to meet annual closed periods when the application of slurry and poultry manure is prohibited.

The practical minimum storage period required is around three to four months and on intensive farming units, such as pigs, poultry and other intensively stocked units, it is vital that farms have sufficient storage facilities. Investment in such facilities is expensive, but grants are available under the Farm Waste Grant Scheme of up to 40% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum of £85,000.

The main changes to the scheme are:

  1. Applications must now be made in advance of work being carried out (previously applications have been considered after work has been completed).
  2. The scheme will now run until the 31st March 2006 after which it will end permanently.
  3. New deadlines have been set for grant applications. For work to be undertaken before 31st October 2004, the deadline was 31st December 2003 and for work to be undertaken before 31st December 2005, the deadline is 31st August 2004. The latest date for all claims is 31st October 2005.
  4. Should claims for grants exceed the total funding available, applications will then be judged on a points system based on environmental benefits. Farmers will be required to support their applications with information on their business viability from farm management experience and other agricultural qualifications.
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