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Written question asked by Desmond Swayne (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 16 May 2025 (named day). It was answered by Daniel Zeichner (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 May 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Countryside Stewardship Scheme: New Forest

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to replace the higher level stewardship provision to commoners in the New Forest.

Answer

We want to provide these Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders with some certainty and continuity until they can move into the new ELM offer and to provide support so they can continue delivering environmental outcomes on their land. We will provide more information on timelines for rolling out the new CSHT and the reformed SFI offer in due course.

Farmers with an HLS agreement that expired in 2024 were offered a two-year extension to their agreement. This will allow farmers to continue delivering land management practices in HLS agreements without interruption to the funding they receive.

Defra also announced that on the 24 February 2025, that agreement holders under the Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) will see an increase to their payment rates in the near future.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
51785
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Common land New Forest Countryside stewardship scheme
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk