ELMS/Support Schemes

The Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) is a government grant funding scheme available for farmers, foresters and land management. It operates under the principle of public money for public goods.

There are three components to the scheme, with different levels of complexity, that aim to help you find what works for you.

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)

This financially rewards farmers for undertaking environmentally sustainable land management, with various standards available relating to different aspects of land and farming. SFI is now open for applications. Contact our Rural team for further assistance or to find out more.

Local Nature Recovery (LNR)

Payments are available for farmers to change their current management methods and make more space for nature. This includes creating wildlife habitats, adding more trees and hedgerows and the restoration of peatlands, wetlands and coastal habitats.

Agreements will last for seven years, with the opportunity to upgrade and add extra land within the scheme. It will be trailed in 2023 and rolled out to the public in 2024.

Landscape Recovery (LR)

Funding will support more radical changes to large areas of land (500ha to 5,000ha) over a longer period, potentially 20 years. The scheme will focus on biodiversity, water quality and net zero carbon emissions.

We will publish more information when it is announced by the government.

Farming Investment Fund (FIF)

This part of ELMS provides grants for capital expenditure to improve productivity and bring environmental benefits. There are two separate funds, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) and the Farming Transformation Fund (FTF) for larger scale capital items. The FTF grants cover:

Adding value
Slurry Infrastructure
Water management
Improving farm productivity

In Autumn 2022, SFI Annual Health and Welfare Review funding will be available for farmers keeping cattle, sheep and pigs. This payment will allow for a vet of your choice to carry out a health review on your livestock.

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)

The transition process has begun for phasing out BPS payments, with funds being diverted to ELMS. For advice on how to supplement your farming income, contact our Rural team.

Countryside Stewardship

This provides financial incentives to encourage practices and management techniques that improve and protect the environment.

It ranges from higher tier complex management practices, through options and capital items that help to deliver a range of environmental benefits to a simple set of options to help improve farmland wildlife.

Capital Grant funding

Including the Water Capital only grants, Hedgerow and Boundary grants – is open all year round. If you would like advice on whether you could benefit from CSS, contact our Rural team.

Woodland grants and incentives

The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) provides funding to prepare a woodland creation design plan. It is open all year round with funding of up to £30,000 available per project.

England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is a flagship grant scheme to encourage investment in woodland creation to mitigate climate change, deliver nature recovery and provide wider environmental and social benefits.

Talk to a
Rural Expert

We have offices covering Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. For more information on Support Schemes get in touch with our Farm & Rural team.

Talk to an expert

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