Defra has unveiled the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme, a key part of its Environmental Land Management (ELM) initiative. This scheme is designed to help farmers and land managers deliver environmental benefits while supporting sustainable food production. Here's what you need to know.
Why CSHT matters
The CSHT scheme is set to provide vital support for farmers, empowering them to enhance nature on their land and maintain thriving farm businesses. It includes tailored management actions and funding opportunities to protect important sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
What’s on Offer?
Farmers and land managers will benefit from:
- 132 management actions and 151 capital items
- Quarterly payments to improve cash flow
- Flexible start dates – agreements can begin monthly rather than once a year
- Streamlined application process via the Rural Payments Agency
- A controlled roll-out to ensure early adopters receive robust support
Support from Natural England
Natural England and the Forestry Commission will play a hands-on role in supporting participants. Starting from January 2025, they’ll work with invited farmers to prepare applications, focusing on those with expiring agreements or approved plans. Pre-application visits will help ensure readiness for the first wave of submissions in summer 2025.
Continuity for Existing Agreements
Farmers with expiring agreements will be offered:
- Mirror agreements (5 or 10 years) for CSHT participants
- HLS extensions: Two years for agreements expiring in 2024 and one or two years for those ending in 2025
A look ahead
Defra is also expanding the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) with 14 new actions launching in summer 2025, focusing on benefits for grassland, heritage, and coastal areas.
Applications for CSHT will initially be by invitation, with wider access expected later in 2025.