Natural England

Natural England has today (Friday 3 October) published new Environmental Stewardship (ES) handbooks to provide farmers with a comprehensive guide to ES and how to apply.

A dedicated Environmental Stewardship phone number has been established for the East of England region - 0300 060 1114; and for the first time applicants for Entry Level Stewardship schemes (ELS) can now apply online – www.naturalengland.org.uk

In the East of England ELS uptake is approximately 60% of the agricultural area. Natural England wants to increase the level of uptake. Alex Nichols, the regional Agri-Environment Scheme Project manager said “ We hope the online application facility will encourage land managers on small to medium sized holding to join ELS and be rewarded for delivering environmental benefits.”

The new handbooks – which cover every available ES scheme - apply to all agreements starting on or after 1 October 2008. The handbooks have been re-designed and include information on new options and changes to the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) bringing farmers up to date on how ES can help their farm business and how they can apply.

Almost £3 billion is earmarked for ES and other agri-environment schemes from 2007-2013, under the RDPE.

Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “Environmental Stewardship remains essential to the health of our natural environment and the success of certain species and we know this can go hand in hand with a successful farming enterprise. We will work closely with the farming industry to ensure these ES schemes continue to work for the benefit of farming, the countryside and wildlife.”

• View the handbooks online.
• View ELS online. There is no limit to how many ELS applications a customer can submit, once they have downloaded the software and have the system up and running.
• Printed versions of the new ES handbooks for scheme applicants and their agents can be obtained from your regional Natural England office the details of which can be found in the Environmental Stewardship section at www.naturalengland.org.uk

Existing agreement holders must keep their old handbooks as the terms and conditions remain part of the legal basis of their agreement.

- Ends –

Notes for editors:

Environmental Stewardship is a Government-funded scheme open to all farmers, which funds the delivery of environmental benefits through agriculture. The scheme aims to conserve wildlife, maintain and enhance our landscape quality and character, protect our natural resources, and promote public access to the countryside.

The East of England region has in excess of 4000 Entry and Higher Level Stewardship agreements covering nearly 840,000 hectares of land.

For more information please contact Heather McMorland in the Natural England regional press office on 01733 455080 or Andrew Smith on 01223 533474. Alternatively, contact our national press office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Natural England's East of England region covers the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.