< Previous | Contents | Next >

THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME

3 rural stewardship scheme management options

Eligibility criteria and management requirements for individual scheme options

This section describes, for each option, the land that is eligible and the management requirements you must follow in order to receive assistance under the Scheme. These requirements represent the minimum that have to be met:- where additional measures have been identified as being necessary to achieve the environmental objectives, details should be given in the Environmental Audit. There is some flexibility in the requirements for those options where there is a choice of grazing and cutting dates, which must also be specified in the Environmental Audit. Guidance on the calculation of stocking densities is given in Annex A of the Environmental Audit. Management requirements for all options apply from the date of entry into the Scheme and any works necessary to fulfil the management requirements of an option must be undertaken at the relevant time during the first Scheme year.

Please think through carefully all aspects of your RSS application and how it fits in to your particular farm business before submitting an application. This is particularly important because the RSS does not permit variations to plans after approval and any breach of your agreement may lead to the imposition of penalties as described at section 8.

If you are unable to fulfil any of the requirements during your participation in the Scheme, you must notify your local SERAD office immediately.

< Previous | Contents | Next >