SM4: Traps for American mink

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

Up to 100% of actual costs

How this item benefits the environment

Using American mink traps helps to control and manage an invasive species. This helps increase the population of water voles and breeding waders.

Where you can use this item

You can only use this item for an American mink trap:

• alongside CSP21: American mink control and management and a PA7: Species management plan
• with the approval of Natural England

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• provide at least 3 written quotations for the cost of equipment with your application (this item does not cover the cost of labour)
• agree which quotation you will use with Natural England
• install the traps, mink rafts and remote units on each site following the specification set out in your species management plan
• maintain the traps, mink rafts and remote units for the duration of your agreement
• only use legally approved traps

Evidence you must keep

You must provide photographs of the completed works when they are in place and installed when you make your claim for payment.

You must also keep and provide on request:

• receipted invoices for the materials
• photographic evidence of the traps or rafts
• copies of any consents or permissions connected with the work

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

Other items you can use with this item

You can use this item with these items:

• SM1: Training to control and manage deer

• SM2: Training to control and manage American mink

• SM6: Use monitoring equipment to manage invasive species

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

You should consider:

• the use, siting and protection of traps to prevent capturing species other than American mink
• the health and safety of the people authorised to set or use the traps

*[CSHT]: Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier