Introduction
This Option provides support for the practice of leaving areas of unharvested, or cut and left in stooks, over the winter after spring sowing a mixture of seed bearing crops.
What this will achieve
Unharvested crops provide cover and feeding areas for birds. Biodiversity Action Plan ( BAP) species that may benefit include Grey Partridge, Skylark, Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Tree Sparrow and Corn Bunting.
What you can do
Either:
- spring sow a mixture of annual crops, including at least one cereal, which will provide seed for the targeted species and do not plough down until after 15 March the following year; or
- spring sow a mixture of at least two crops, one of which must seed in the first year and one in the second, e.g. kale. Plough in after 15 March following last seeding year.
For both Options:
- pesticides may be applied where necessary to aid establishment of the crop; otherwise, no application of pesticides is permitted
- plots must be no more than 2 hectares in size
- In Corn Bunting areas (East Scotland, Uists and Borders) either 1-year cereal-based mixes should be established or, where two-year mixes are sown, at least two plots must be established in alternate years. To provide a safe retreat, plots should be located next to a hedge, isolated bush/tree or overhead wires but not dense woodland.
Who can apply
All land managers are eligible to apply for this Option.
Eligibility criteria
Plots must be located on arable or improved grassland.
Land receiving payments for similar management under other agri-environment schemes is not eligible under this Option.
This Option cannot be adopted on an area of land set-aside under the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS).
What costs could be supported
For a comprehensive list of Capital Items click here. Any cost claimed must be fully justified. The following are examples of what may be claimed:
When completing your Proposal, you can select the appropriate capital
item(s) from the dropdown list of standard cost capital items for this Option.
In addition to the above capital items, financial support of up to 100% of eligible actual costs is available in respect of the following:
Please note that these capital items will not appear in the dropdown list of Standard Cost capital items for this Option and will need to be entered manually in the box for Actual Cost capital items. Only costs for the types of capital works listed above should be entered in the Actual Cost capital items box for this Option. Any other costs entered cannot be considered for funding.
To ensure value for money we require you to provide 2 competitive quotes for any capital items applied for which are based on actual cost. If, however, you are seeking grant support towards something so specialised it is only available through 1 source then we would accept 1 quote. Please see the guidance on quotes and estimates for more information.
Rate of support
This is a 5-year commitment. We will pay you £391.26 per hectare per year. We will pay at the end of each year.
Inspection/verification
The inspector will check the requirements (as detailed above under 'what you can do') of the Option are being met, by a visual assessment on the day of inspection.
Beneficiaries must comply with the requirements of cross compliance and the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products. You must also comply with the requirements to avoid damaging any features of historic or archaeological interest, and follow Scottish Ministers' guidance for the protection of such areas or features (detailed in links below)
The following is a brief overview of the inspection procedures, for a full explanation please see links below:
Inspectors will check:
- Land is either arable or improved grassland
- Plot size does not exceed 2 hectares
- Correct spring-sown mixture has been sown for chosen management and has not been ploughed down before 15 March
- Pesticide records will be checked for instances of spraying other than to aid crop establishment
- In Corn Bunting areas - this Option is next to a hedge, isolated bush/tree or overhead wires and not next to dense woodland
List of links to relevant technical guidance
Minimum requirements for Fertiliser and Plant Protection Products - detailed guidance
Minimum requirements for protection of historic or archaeological features
"On the spot" inspections - overview of the inspection procedure