OT2: Organic land management - unimproved permanent grassland

How much will be paid

£41 per hectare (ha)

Where to use this option

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier

Whole parcel

Only on:

• land registered as ‘fully organic’ by a Defra-licenced organic control body
• unimproved permanent grassland and rough grazing that is below the moorland line

Related Mid Tier options

Other Countryside Stewardship options and supplements relevant to grassland management may be used on the same land area where eligibility rules allow.

How this option will benefit the environment

It maintains unimproved grassland under organic management, providing a wide range of environmental and public benefits.

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.

Organic standards will be followed for the duration of the agreement.

Prohibited activities

To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits across the whole parcel, do not carry out any of the following activities:

• None

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 use best practice.

• Please refer to Aims, Prohibited activities and Additional guidance and advice

Keeping records

Where there is 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.

• A valid organic certificate and schedule for all the parcels entered into this option at application and on their annual claim.
• Records to show the land is unimproved permanent grassland (see Permanent grassland assessment form) or rough grazing

Additional guidance and advice

The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.

Unimproved grassland

To qualify as unimproved grassland, at least 2 of these need to apply:

• cover of both ryegrass and white clover is less than 10%
• the sward is species rich (more than 15 species per square metre, including grasses)
• there is a high cover (more than 30%) of wildflowers and sedges, excluding white clover, buttercup, injurious weeds

Non-agricultural features or areas may be eligible as part of the option area if registered with a control body.

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.