Extensions to Countryside Stewardship agreements have been accepted by 80% of farmers offered, the Rural Payments Agency has confirmed.
More than 4,000 farmers invited to do so have accepted Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier extension agreements, worth just under £59m for another year.
The Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier scheme supports farmers and land managers to deliver environmental benefits while maintaining sustainable food production.
Extending the agreements ensures farmers have the support they need to continue restoring nature and producing food sustainably, the government said.
“We’re backing British farmers to create a productive, profitable, and sustainable future for farming,” said farming minister Angela Eagle. “Extending Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements ensures farmers have the certainty and support they need to plan ahead.
“It’s heartening to see most farmers offered an extension have accepted, allowing them to continue growing their businesses, getting more British food on our plates, and helping to restore nature.”
Read more:
-
SFI reform and major investment to be announced at Oxford Farming Conference
-
UK at ‘high risk’ from ecosystem collapse and biodiversity loss
-
Are latest policy changes enough to placate farmers?
Earlier this month, the government confirmed the extension of the Sustainable Farming Incentive along with a host of reforms to make the scheme simpler and more predictable.
As part of the reforms, there will be two application windows in 2026, with the first from June prioritising smaller farms and those without an existing agreement, followed by a second round from September for wider applications.
“We’re pleased so many farmers have chosen to continue their Countryside Stewardship agreements,” said CEO of the Rural Payments Agency Oliver Munn. “These extensions provide stability and allow farmers to keep delivering important environmental outcomes on their land.”
All accepted extensions have now been processed, with customers due to receive a confirmation letter shortly.
No comments yet