Countryside Stewardship grants offer slurry cover options for pig farmers
9th May 2023 / By Alistair Driver
Countryside Stewardship Scheme capital grants for slurry storage are currently available to support pig producers.
With the scheme open all year for applications, now is an excellent time to apply, according to the NFU.
The scheme offers farmers funding for two types of store cover - self-supporting slurry store covers and floating covers for slurry stores and lagoons. Funding for the self-supporting covers is £26.50 per square metre, while the funding for lagoon style covers is £2.75 per square metre.
Both will prevent rainwater from entering a slurry store, reducing the amount of slurry that needs to be stored and spread and, in doing so, help protect the environment and cut your costs, the NFU said.
This item can only be used:
- in areas targeted for the reduction of water and air pollution from agriculture
- for roofing an existing above ground circular store
- with support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) officer.
These capital grants are offered alongside the Countryside Stewardship revenue options, meaning it is available for those on both Mid-Tier and Higher-Tier Agreement.
To find out more about the Capital Grants for 2023, visit: GOV.UK | Capital Grants 2023: Countryside Stewardship
How to apply
If your store is within a targeted area and you meet the other requirements, you can start the application process today with the help of a CSF officer.
All applications for a self-supporting cover grant require approval from an CSF Officer, and applications for a floating cover grant are more likely to succeed with their endorsement.
CSF is a partnership between Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England that offers free training, advice and support for grant applications to farmers to help improve water and air quality – you can find contact details for your local CSF officer at: GOV.UK | Catchment Sensitive Farming
For a full list of Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier options and capital items that are supported by CSF, see: GOV.UK | Guidance – Countryside Stewardship.