Skip to main content

The Team

We're working with farms to improve the way we regulate and support farming and the environment.

If you'd like to get in contact with the editor, leave a comment on any post.

Apply now for grant to support private investment in nature

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to support private investment
Image of a farm building and sheep on a gradient

At the end of November, we shared details of a grant designed to help farmers attract private investment into nature. We said we’d blog again when it was time to apply and we’re pleased to say that from today, you can.  This post includes a link for you to watch a recording of our webinar on the grant.

Farming regulation from the new year

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Farming and Countryside Programme
Fields of soft green extending to the horizon in winter

As part of the agricultural transition away from the European Union (EU), we’re committed to delivering a better regulation system for farming. At the moment, farmers who receive payments under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and some other agri-environment schemes must meet minimum standards to receive those payments. This is known as cross compliance. Cross compliance will end 31 December 2023. We've published guidance about what this means for farmers and land managers on GOV.UK.

Coming soon: grants to attract private investment in nature

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to support private investment
Patchwork of fields in the south-west of England

The Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF) will soon offer grants designed to help farmers attract private investment in nature. You’ll be able to apply for a grant on 11 December 2023. We've published guidance for the grant on GOV.UK to help you prepare.

Woodland creation: supporting your business and the environment

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to plant trees and manage woodland
Two people talk in a countryside setting with tree in the background.

If you are a farmer or landowner in England, you can apply for woodland creation grants to support tree planting projects of all shapes and sizes. In this post, we’ll explain how planting the right trees in the right place can diversify your business, boost income, support food production, and enhance the environment. We’ll also share links for you to find out about the grants on offer.  

'Nature can sit alongside agriculture': a Landscape Recovery project spotlight

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to restore landscapes and ecosystems
Still image taken from embedded video showing two people talking to camera.

The North Norfolk: Wilder, Wetter, Better for Nature project is part of the first round of  Landscape Recovery. Alongside sustainable food production, the project aims to create new habitats for nature, restore rivers and boost biodiversity on the Holkham Estate. We visited the team to see how the project will work in practice.

Annual Health and Welfare Review: making it easier to apply, comply and export

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to improve animal health and welfare
A tagged calf taking a step forward

When we launched the Annual Health and Welfare Review, a funded annual vet visit, we said that we would continue to improve with feedback from farmers and vets. In this post, we’d like to share an update on our work which includes simplifying the process to apply, bringing BVD testing for beef in line with CHECS and BVD Free requirements and clarifying how to use the review to enable exports to the EU. We also include a video of a farmer and vet who took part in a Review. 

Introducing Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure grants

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to support animal health and welfare
A sweet little calf looking at the camera with ear tag

In this post, we share the next steps of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. Through the first round of the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology grant, over £19 million will be awarded to more than 3,000 pig, cattle, poultry and sheep farmers. A new Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure grant is also on the way: the Calf Housing for Health and Welfare grant.