CLA criticises Defra delay to CS Higher Tier scheme

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has criticised Defra after revelations that the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme will not open for farmer applications until next summer, despite already being delayed.

This postponement, announced during the CLA’s annual conference on 21 November, has sparked concerns among farmers, particularly those in the English uplands who rely on the scheme to supplement income and deliver vital environmental services.

CLA president Victoria Vyvyan broke the news at the event held at the QEII Centre in London, describing the delay as a significant setback for farmers already grappling with BPS reductions.

See also: Fears grow of further budget pain for farmers

“These are the most vulnerable people in the farming chain. They haven’t got anything to fill that gap,” she said, emphasising the growing frustration within the sector as farmers wait for promised alternative funding streams.

Richard Bramley, an arable farmer from York and former chair of the NFU Environment Forum, also expressed his dismay.

“The uplands have faced increasing desperation for far too long,” he told Farmers Weekly, criticising the government’s inaction.

Mr Bramley stressed the need for meaningful investment in areas such as carbon storage and water quality, warning that rhetoric alone will not suffice.

Herefordshire farmer Martin Williams voiced concerns over potential funding cuts in the upcoming spring spending review.

Mr Williams noted delays in other schemes such as the capital grants programme, which he fears could be a casualty of tightening budgets.

“The government has so many environmental goals to reach, yet we seem under threat of sweeping cuts,” he said.

He urged policymakers to consider the upcoming Land Use Framework (LUF) and its broader social benefits before reducing financial support.

Capital grants blow

Adding to the uncertainty, the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers revealed that the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has temporarily halted new capital grant scheme offers due to a surge in applications and budget pressures.

The RPA and Defra are reportedly reviewing the scheme, with an announcement expected soon.

These delays are another blow to a sector already under strain.

While Defra had promised updates on the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme in December and a streamlined application process, farmers fear further budgetary reductions and delays will hinder progress on vital environmental goals.

Defra has been asked to comment.