GS1: Take small areas out of management - GOV.UK
Contents
- How much will be paid
- Where to use this option
- Where this option cannot be used
- Related Mid Tier options
- How this option will benefit the environment
- Aims
- Prohibited Activities
- Recommended management
- Keeping records
- Additional guidance and advice
- Using the mosaic approach
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Biodiversity
- Further information
How much will be paid
£333 per hectare (ha)
Where to use this option
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier on whole and part parcels on:
- permanent grass
- corners and small areas within permanent grassland fields
Where this option cannot be used
On historic or archaeological features identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environmental Record (HEFER) or Farm Environment Record (FER)
You can locate the following options and supplements on the same area as this option.
How this option will benefit the environment
It provides year-round habitat and food for a range of wildlife within grass fields.
Aims
If you’re selected for a site visit, we will check that delivery of the aims is being met and the prohibited activities have not been carried out. This will ensure the environmental benefits are being delivered.
There will be a small area (no more than 0.5ha) of grass which is left un-grazed and uncut. This will provide tall grass tussocks with abundant flowering plants during the summer and dead seed heads by the autumn and winter.
Prohibited Activities
To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities:
- cut or graze more frequently than one year in every 5
- operate machinery or carry out other activities during the bird breeding season, they may disturb breeding birds or damage nests
- apply any fertilisers or manures
- apply any lime
- use pesticides, except for herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds or invasive non-natives, soft and hard rush, nettles or bracken
- locate the option next to another area under the same option
- cut or graze all areas in the same year if there is more than 1 area
- use this option more than once in every 5ha of permanent grassland in your Mid Tier or Higher Tier application
On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any prohibited activities.
Recommended management
To assist you in achieving the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this option, we recommend that you employ best practice.
We recommend that you:
- only cut or graze one year in every 5 (it is acceptable to leave these areas uncut and un-grazed for the full length of the agreement)
Keeping records
Where there’s uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.
- Field operations at the parcel levels, including associated invoices
- Stock records to show grazing activity on parcels
Additional guidance and advice
The following advice is helpful but is not a requirement for this item.
Using the mosaic approach
Better results will be achieved when the areas of longer vegetation are scattered widely across a landscape and located close to other habitat features, in a mosaic approach.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This option can form part of an IPM approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases. If successful, appropriate and within proximity of cropped areas, these may limit the need for the use of Plant Protection Products and enhance wildlife and biodiversity on your holding. Read information on IPM at AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Integrated Pest Management and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).
Biodiversity
This option has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier and Higher Tier including how to apply.
Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 3 August 2022 + show all updates
- 3 August 2022
Update to Prohibited Activities section: final bullet point to clarify the option cannot be used more than once in every 5ha in the Mid Tier or Higher Tier application
- 8 February 2022
New payment rate from 1 January 2022.
- 8 February 2022
Additional guidance and advice section updated - this option can form part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases.
- 30 March 2021
'Air quality' added to Land use.
- 4 February 2021
Option updated for agreements starting 1 Jan 2022
- 11 February 2020
The Requirements and Keeping records sections of this page have been updated.
- 6 March 2017
Updated for 2017 applications.
- 29 March 2016
Information updated for applications in 2016.
- 2 April 2015
First published.