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SW14

Nil fertiliser supplement

CS Higher Tier open_in_new View on RPA Website

£156.00

per hectare · yearly

info Summary

This Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier supplement provides £156 per hectare per year for not applying fertiliser or manure to land parcels greater than 1ha, reducing nitrate loss to ground and surface water. It must be combined with either SW7 or SW8 and requires support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming officer.

format_list_bulleted What to do

  • Do not apply any fertilisers or manures to the parcel throughout the year.

schedule When to do

  • No fertiliser or manure must be applied to the parcel throughout the year.

checklist How to do

  • Ensure no fertilisers or manures are applied to the parcel.

description Evidence Required

You must send the following with your application.

  • Written support from a CSF officer

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.

  • Evidence that you are using a recommended fertiliser management system or that you are a low intensity farmer

tips_and_updates Additional Advice

  • Consider using Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) support for free advice and training on water quality issues.
  • This supplement is beneficial for biodiversity recovery, and habitat options should be linked for better connectivity.

View Official Guidelines

Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website

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info Additional Information

SW14: Nil fertiliser supplement

How much will be paid

£156 per hectare (ha)

Where to use this supplement

It’s available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier on whole or part parcels:

  • greater than 1ha
  • in combination with either SW7 - Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input or SW8 - Management of intensive grassland adjacent to a watercourse

You must have support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) officer to use this supplement and must also meet one of the following conditions.

  • Be following a recommended fertiliser management system to plan nutrient inputs across the farm
  • Plan to adopt a recommended fertiliser management system within 18 months of the start of the agreement
  • Qualify as a low intensity farmer

How this supplement will benefit the environment

It helps to reduce the risk of nitrate loss to ground and surface water by reducing nutrient inputs to zero.

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.

Throughout the year there will be no fertiliser or manure applied to the parcel.

Prohibited activities

To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities.

  • Apply any fertilisers or manures

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

You must send the following with your application.

  • Written support from a CSF officer

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.

  • Evidence that you are using a recommended fertiliser management system or that you are a low intensity farmer

Additional guidance and advice

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

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) operates in parts of the country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and training. See guidance for further information on CSF support

Biodiversity

This supplement 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. *[CSF]: Catchment Sensitive Farming

Questions about SW14?

Ask Tom anything about this subsidy, eligibility, evidence requirements, or compatibility with other actions.