The UK Government has announced a one-year extension to the Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements, offering continued support to more than 5,000 farmers whose agreements were set to expire at the end of 2025.

This extension, confirmed by Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle, will be a one-off £70 million investment, ensuring that the environmental benefits that have been delivered by schemes over the past 5 years continue.

According to Dame Angela Eagle “We’re backing farmers with the largest investment in nature-friendly farming in history, underpinning our cast iron commitment to food security. This targeted extension to Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements ensures farmers have the certainty and support they need to continue to grow their businesses, get more British food on our plates, and help restore nature.”

DEFRA have confirmed that by 2029, total funding through the Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) is set to rise by 150% to £2 billion.

Environmental consultant Lottie Hill says “It appears that DEFRA are still not in a position to offer the next version of the Sustainable Farming Incentive to those that have CSS expiring. It is good that a short term solution has been proposed with an annual extension, but I do hope that DEFRA will soon be in a position to announce what the future funding and schemes will consist of. The level of uncertainty within the sector with agri-environmental schemes is starting to hamper efforts to deliver long term environmental benefits”.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will write to eligible farmers with details about their extension offer. The letter will contain details of how they accept their extension and the deadline they need to meet for it to be processed.

If you wish to discuss your current scheme management or how the extension will affect you please contact the office for advice.

T: 01284 700727

E: advice@wilsonwraight.co.uk