Welsh grant scheme funds tree and hedge planting
© Tim Scrivener Farmers in Wales can apply for grant funding to plant trees and hedgerows as part of the Welsh government’s efforts to enhance carbon removal.
The Glastir Small Grants Carbon scheme is open for applications and offers capital grants worth up to £7,500 to support tree, shrub and hedge planting, along with hedge laying and coppicing.
The payment rate for new hedge planting is £4.50/m, while hedge laying attracts a payment of £5.53/m.
See also: Welsh yard covering grant scheme
Funds are also available to pay for supportive measures such as tree guards, fencing, bracken control and the installation of stiles and gates.
Post and wire fencing with stock netting attracts a payment of £3.48/m, with the payment for post and rail fencing set at £10.40/m.
Environmental value
Farmers are invited to submit an expression of interest (EOI), which will be scored according to the environmental value it offers.
To help applicants, the government has produced maps that show areas of the country where each of the different options are most likely to be approved.
Contracts will be offered to the farmers who put in the highest-scoring EOIs.
The deadline for applications is 19 February.
All EOIs must be submitted through the Rural Payment Wales Online service.