Introduction
The aim of this Option is to regenerate suppressed heather or other moorland vegetation of conservation interest by reducing the numbers of sheep grazing.
What this will achieve
This Option will improve the condition of moorland vegetation. Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species that will benefit from this Option include plants like Juniper and Woolly Willow, birds like Black Grouse and insects such as the Netted Mountain Moth.
What you can do
Requirements
- you must remove the agreed number of ewes from the site and the IACS business before 1 March in the first year of your undertaking. You may not increase the number of ewes on the moorland or business during the agreement;
- you must prepare a Moorland Management Plan and carry it out. The plan should describe the current condition of the moorland and how it is managed. It must state how many ewes you will reduce the flock by and explain why this will benefit the condition of the moorland. This should take account of the combined impacts of livestock and other grazing animals present on the land.
In locations where both sheep and grouse predominate, you may also wish to consider the potential impact of ticks on the grouse population when deciding on the level of sheep reduction.
Who can apply
All land managers are eligible to apply for this Option.
Eligibility criteria
Moorland that would benefit from reducing stocking density is eligible under this Option. We will only pay you for reducing the stocking density below the level required to prevent overgrazing.
Where you have agreed to reduce your flock size under a legacy agri-environment scheme Stock Disposal option, we can fund you to continue to maintain a reduced flock size under this Option where maintaining the flock size at or below the maximum number agreed under the previous scheme's Stock Disposal option will contribute towards achieving a regional priority outcome under Rural Priorities.
Rate of support
This is a 5 year commitment. We will pay you £19.63 per hectare per year. We will pay at the end of each year. For the purposes of payment, it is assumed that each ewe disposed of will benefit 0.8 hectares of moorland.
What costs could be supported
For a comprehensive list of Capital Items click here. Any cost claimed must be fully justified.
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 these capital items, financial support of up to 100% of eligible actual costs is available in respect of the following:
- Renewable energy powered pumps for water troughs
Please note that this capital item 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.
Inspections/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:
- The Moorland Management Plan has been prepared and is being carried out
- Sheep record books to verify that the agreed number of ewes have been removed from IACS business before 1 March in first year
- Claimed capital items have been completed to approved amounts and scheme standards
List of links to relevant technical guidance