GovWire

How much will be paid

612 per hectare (ha)

Where to use this option

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier and Higher Tier:

• only on cultivated land identified on the Farm Environment Record (FER) as at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff
• only on land next to ditches, rivers or streams
• to buffer terrestrial sites which are sensitive to atmospheric nitrogen such as priority habitat grassland, heathland, wetland or woodland (as identified on Magic)

Where this option cannot be used

• Overlapping a public right of way (such as a footpath or bridleway)

Related Mid-Tier options

The following options can be located on the same area as this option.

• OR3 - Organic conversion - rotational land
• OR4 - Organic conversion - horticulture
• OT3 - Organic land management - rotational land
• OT4 Organic land management - horticulture

How this option will benefit the environment

It establishes a grass buffer to help reduce the risk of potential pollutants, such as sediment, pesticides and nutrients (mainly phosphate), being transported to watercourses in surface water runoff. It may also provide habitat for wildlife, and form links between other habitats.

Reducing the use of fertilisers close to sensitive habitats will help to reduce concentrations in atmospheric nitrogen and dry deposition at the habitat.

Aims

If youre 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 a 12 to 24 metre (m) wide grass strip. Establish this during the first year and maintain for the period of the agreement. There will be an intact grass sward with no evidence of damage from vehicle or stock access routes.

During late summer, after the bird breeding season, cut the 6m of the buffer strip next to the crop to provide some shorter vegetation.

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
• Use pesticides, except for herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, nettles or bracken
• Allow livestock access to the strip
• Cut the remainder of the strip (except to control woody growth)

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 youve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. Its your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

• Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices

Additional guidance and advice

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

How to choose a site

Create the buffer strip adjacent to a watercourse across a long, steep slope, to intercept and slow runoff water before it builds to a damaging flow. Care should be taken to minimise the amount of water that is channelled along the edge of the buffer strip.

For nitrogen sensitive habitats create the buffer strip on farmland adjacent to the sensitive habitat. This will help to reduce build-up of atmospheric nitrogen, which has a negative impact on biodiversity.

How to manage the buffer strip

• Remove any subsoil compaction where required to prepare a seedbed, except on archaeological features
• Control weeds and cut regularly in the first 12 to 24 months of establishment to encourage grasses to tiller
• Avoid cutting when the soil is wet, to prevent compaction
• The buffer strip should remain in place and not be re-sown for the duration of the agreementThe buffer strip can be partly covered by a hedge, as long as the hedge is located on land that is eligible for this option.

Using this option on existing buffer strips

This option can be used on buffer strips that are already established, unless they are required or being paid for through another scheme. The buffer strip should be on land that can be cultivated (for example, it cannot be on a very steeply banked strip alongside a boundary).Buffer strips established under Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) can continue to be managed under a new Countryside Stewardship agreement.

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 holdings 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.