Lake District ESA
- Aims and objectives
- Background to the ESA
- Tier 1 (Part 1) - All land
- Tier 1 (Part 2) Inbye
- Tier 1 (Part 3) Intake
- Tier 1 (Part 4) Fell without heather
- Tier 1 (Part 5) Heather fell
- Tier 2A (Meadows)
- Tier 2B Intermediate heather fell
- Tier 2C (Heather fell)
- Tier 2D Managed habitat - controlled grazing
- Small woodland management and regeneration tier
- Supplementary payment for drystone wall restoration
- Hedge restoration supplement
- Supplement for removal of all ewes during winter
Aims and objectives
1. The Lake District ESA aims to maintain and enhance the nature conservation interest, characteristic landscape and local heritage of the area by encouraging sustainable traditional farming systems and appropriate management practices.
2. Specific objectives are:
| Related tier(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | To maintain the nature conservation interest of semi-natural upland vegetation. | 1C, 1D, 1E, inc. (for 1E) Supplement for removal of all livestock in winter |
| 2. | To enhance the quality and extent of upland heather-based plant communities. | 2B, 2C, inc. Supplement for removal of all livestock in winter |
| 3. | To maintain the nature conservation interest of inbye. | 1B |
| 4. | To maintain and enhance the nature conservation interest of a range of valuable and characteristic habitats and species important for local biodiversity. | 2A, 2D |
| 5. | To maintain and enhance agricultural landscapes by positive management of traditional elements such as farm buildings and field boundaries. | All, inc. Boundary Renovation Supplement |
| 6. | To maintain and enhance the nature conservation and landscape interest of small-scale woodland. | 1A, Woodland |
| 7. | To protect archaeological and historic features. | All |
Background to the ESA
1.The ESA extends over 245,390 hectares and covers the central, western and southern parts of Cumbria. Most of the land lies within the Lake District National Park Authority boundary and includes the Cumbrian mountains, sixteen major lakes and numerous tarns and smaller lakes. Agriculture is based on a long tradition of hill sheep farming with some suckler herds, store cattle and dairying on the lowland fringes. Most of the land has Less Favoured Area status and only a very few areas are used for arable cropping.
2.The Lake District is noted for the range and diversity of plant communities and species, resulting from a variation in altitude, complex geology, an oceanic climate and the latitude of the region. The fells are extensive and contain a rich mosaic of heath, mire and grassland communities. They include the montane vegetation of the high-level heaths and screes which contain rare refuge plant species previously extensive only at the end of the last glaciation. Extensive woodlands, valley and basin mires and wetlands around lake margins are also notable features.
3.The Lake District landscape is internationally renowned and its importance is indicated by its designation as a National Park (NP) and its County Landscape Status (in areas outside of the NP). The spectacular scenery is created by the contrasts between the wild open fells and rugged mountain peaks, its remote valleys, lakes and rivers and rolling farmland and wooded, sheltered valleys. Man-made features, such as drystone walls, hedgerows and farm buildings, are particularly important elements of the landscape. The area is considered to be of national archaeological importance with a wealth of interesting features such as, cairns, hill forts, earthworks and ancient field systems.
4.The main threat in the area has been one of intensification (in 1970s & 1980s), centred upon increased sheep numbers and higher stocking densities on the fells. It also resulted in the more intensive use of inbye, particularly through increased fertiliser use, drainage and reseeding. All valuable habitats, therefore, became vulnerable to loss or degradation.
5.This is a 'whole-farm' scheme which started in 1993. Overall uptake at the end of 1998 was c. 129,005 hectares.
6.A priority objective is to secure the favourable management of the upland vegetation communities (most tiers), with a new requirement which prohibits the application of fertilisers on intake and fell land. There is now a requirement to agree and implement an integrated moorland management plan on heather fell. This covers heather burning and cutting, scrub and bracken control and the introduction of stocking levels to benefit the condition of the heather. A supplement for the removal of all livestock in winter, and a new 'intermediate heather' tier (Tier 2B), have been added to improve the environmental benefits of the heather fell communities.
7.Away from the higher land, the new managed habitat tier (Tier 2D) incorporates the old Tier 2 option 2 (pastures) and option 3 (wetlands). These new prescriptions aim to increase the area and to improve the nature conservation value of the species-rich grasslands and wetlands, through an agreed site-specific management plan.
8.The above tiers contribute to the achievement of the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets for the habitats in the area.
9.Another objective is to maintain the nature conservation value of inbye. Improvements to the prescriptions include changes to harrowing and rolling dates, flexibility in use of farmyard manure, permission to apply limited amounts of lime and the encouragement to control injurious weeds in an environmentally sensitive way.
10.All tiers aim to protect the landscape and its characteristic elements and historic features. A recent improvement is the modification to the former Wall Renovation supplement to also grant aid hedgerow restoration. Throughout the ESA, the opportunity to enhance the landscape elements, such as hedgerows, drystone walls, farm buildings and historic features, can be achieved through the Conservation Plans.
11.A further addition to the scheme is the woodland option within Tier 1A and the Woodland Tier (Tier 2) which may involve stockproofing and the adoption of a woodland management programme. This aims to address the BAP targets for small-scale native woodlands in the area and secure their long-term nature conservation and landscape value.
Tier 1 (Part 1) - All land
Scheme Prescriptions
1.Do not graze any land so as to cause poaching, overgrazing or undergrazing.
2.Maintain stockproof walls, hedges and vertical slate walling in a stockproof condition using traditional materials.
3.Maintain any weatherproof traditional farm buildings which you own, or for which you are responsible, in a weatherproof condition using traditional materials.
4.Do not damage, destroy or remove any features of archaeological or historic value or interest.
5.Retain any woodland, copses or groups of trees or wooded ghylls. Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a programme to conserve and protect areas of non net-income generating woodland. These will be identified on the agreement map and will receive payment at the all land rate. Seek written consent from the Project Officer before planting any woodland. Any pollarded trees for which you are responsible must be retained and managed in accordance with local custom.
6.Any scrub management must be carried out in accordance with a written programme agreed in advance with the Project Officer.
7.Restrict supplementary feeding of livestock to areas agreed in writing in advance with the Project Officer.
8.Obtain written advice on siting and materials before constructing buildings or roads or carrying out any other engineering or construction works which do not require planning permission or prior notification determination by the Local Planning Authority.
9.Sheep dip must be disposed of safely. In particular, it must not be spread where it may affect areas of nature conservation value.
10.When disposing of dirty water you must avoid areas of high conservation interest agreed in writing with your Project Officer.
11.Do not control rushes during the period 1 March to 31 July.
12.Do not move any large boulders, rock outcrops or limestone pavement.
13.Do not infill existing natural depressions or remove hedgerow banks.
14.Do not install any new land drainage system or modify any existing land drainage system so as to bring about improved drainage.
15.Bracken management must be carried out in accordance with a written programme agreed in advance with the Project Officer. This must include adequate appropriate follow-up treatments. Where possible mechanical methods should be used, but where a herbicide is necessary only an approved chemical e.g. asulam may be used.
16.The Ministry will make a supplementary payment if you agree in writing a programme for the renovation of drystone walls and vertical slate walls or non-stockproof hedges and hedgebanks. This may involve the rebuilding of gaps to make non-stockproof walls stockproof or the dismantling and rebuilding of stockproof walling in poor condition; hedge restoration may include hedge planting, gapping-up, coppicing and laying. Payment will be calculated on the basis of the length of wall or hedge restored in each year.
17.You must identify on your application any common land within the ESA where you have grazing rights. You must not increase existing stocking levels on common land that is not the subject of a separate agreement.
18.You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (see Annex IVII) for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air, published by the Ministry (references PB 0617, PB 0587 and PB 0618) as amended from time to time.
Agronomic Impact
1.Extra cost of hedge and wall maintenance using traditional materials.
2.Extra cost of maintaining traditional buildings using traditional materials.
| Additional Cost of Tier 1 Prescriptions On Arable-Ley Grassland |
£/ha |
| Hedgerow maintenance | 5.4 |
| Wall maintenance | 9.7 |
| Building maintenance | 1.1 |
| Total | 16.2 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 6,000 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £16/ha
- Current payment rate
- £12/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
| Additional Cost of Tier 1 Prescriptions On Fell |
£/ha |
| Building maintenance | 0.5 |
| Total | 0.5 |
Tier 1 (Part 2) Inbye
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1 Part 1) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
19.Maintain the land and do not plough, level or reseed without the Ministry's prior written approval.
20.Pastures must not be harrowed, rolled or otherwise cultivated during the period 1 April to 15 July.
21.Meadows may be cultivated but only with a chain harrow or roller either as early as possible in the spring or in the autumn.
22.Do not exceed your existing application rate of inorganic or organic fertiliser and in any case do not exceed 125kg of nitrogen per hectare per year.
23.You may apply farmyard manure or slurry provided that you do not exceed your existing application rate. Farmyard manure produced off the farm may only be used with the prior written approval of the Project Officer and must be well-rotted. Do not apply slurry to fields that have previously received only farmyard manure. Pig and poultry manure may only be applied to designated fields and with the Project Officer's prior written approval
24.You must not apply lime, slag or any other substance designed to reduce soil acidity, to pasture fields without the prior written approval of the Project Officer.
25.You may apply liming materials to meadow land at a rate of 0.5 tonnes per hectare (4 cwt per acre) per year. This rate may be increased only if the Project Officer agrees that a higher requirement is needed.
26.Do not use fungicides or pesticides on the land without the prior written approval of the Project Officer.
27.You may apply herbicides to control nettles, docks, ragwort, spear thistle and creeping thistle. Control must be carried out using an approved product applied by weed wiper or spot treatment. Any other herbicide treatment requires prior written approval from the Project Officer.
Agronomic Impact
1.Revenue Income forgone from observing Tier 1 Part 1 All land prescriptions.
2.Revenue Income forgone from either limiting the potential for intensification or reduction in livestock numbers to comply with limit on fertiliser use.
| £ /ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra income | ||
| Lease of sheep quota from reducing number of breeding ewes | 5.4 | |
| Cost Saved | ||
| Interest on working capital from breeding ewes | 1.3 | |
| Inorganic fertiliser | 10.6 | |
| Homegrown hay | 1.0 | |
| Income lost | ||
| Loss of sheep gross margin | 31.3 | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Hedgerow maintenance | 5.4 | |
| Wall maintenance | 21.6 | |
| Property maintenance | 9.7 | |
| Sub-total | 36.7 | |
| Total | 68.0 | 18.3 |
| Income Forgone | 49.7 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 55,000 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £49.7/ha
- Current payment rate
- £47/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Tier 1 (Part 3) Intake
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1 Part 1) and 19-27 (Tier 1 Part 2) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
28.Do not increase your existing stocking level on intake.
29.You must not apply any organic or inorganic fertilisers, lime slag or any other substance to improve fertility or reduce acidity, or herbicides without prior written approval from the Project Officer.
Agronomic Implications
- Observing relevant prescriptions under Tier 1 Parts 1 and 2.
- Income forgone from limiting the potential for intensification.
| Additional cost of Tier 1 prescriptions on Intake: | £/ha |
| Livestock gross margin | 3.5 |
| Wall maintenance | 13.0 |
| Building maintenance | 2.2 |
| Total | 18.6 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 22,000 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £18.6/ha
- Current payment rate
- £22/ha
- Level of incentive
- 18%
- Justification for Incentive
- Intakes are generally linked to agreements with fells or hill/fell sheep enterprises. An incentive element is important in ensuring the attractiveness of the ESA scheme in this whole farm ESA, where there is a background of falling farm incomes.
Tier 1 (Part 4) Fell without heather
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1 Part 1) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
30.Maintain as fell. Do not excavate, plough, level, reseed or otherwise cultivate.
31.Ensure adequate stock control to avoid overgrazing and the trespass of sheep across grazing units.
32.Do not fence across open fell.
33.Do not apply farmyard manure, slurry or any other organic or inorganic fertiliser. Do not apply lime or any other substance designed to reduce soil acidity without the Ministry's prior written approval. You must not apply any organic or inorganic fertilisers, lime slag or any other substance to improve fertility or reduce acidity, or pesticides, herbicides or fungicides without prior written approval from the Project Officer.
34.Do not increase stock numbers and, in any case, do not exceed 0.3 livestock units per hectare.
Agronomic Impact
- Observing relevant prescriptions under Tier 1 Part 1.
- Loss of sheep gross margin less lease of surplus quota (by reducing the level of stocking to be within 2 ewes/ha).
- Enhancement of flock performance.
- Cost of extra shepherding to control grazing in the general absence of fences.
| £ /ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra income | ||
| Lease of sheep quota | ||
| Enhanced Gross Margin/ewe | 4.7 1.6 |
|
| Costs saved | ||
| Interest on working capital (breeding ewes) | 2.7 | |
| Income lost | ||
| Reduced flock size, loss of Gross Margin | 25.7 | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Extra Shepherding | 3.2 | |
| Property maintenance | 1.1 | |
| Income change | 21.1 | |
| Total | 30.1 | 9.0 |
| Income Forgone | 21.1 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 40,000 hectares ha
- Income Forgone
- £21.1/ha
- Current payment rate
- £25/ha
- Level of incentive
- 18.5%
- Justification For Incentive
- A small incentive element is justified to maintain uptake in this tier. was justified at the most recent payment review. It is proposed to maintain this small incentive element under the RDP.
Tier 1 (Part 5) Heather fell
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1 Part 1) and 30-34 (Tier 1 Part 4) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
35.In the first year of your agreement you must agree with the Project Officer a written plan of integrated moorland management which must be implemented. The plan may include a programme of rotational heather burning and cutting, stock management, scrub and bracken management. The plan will identify areas where supplementary feeding may occur. The aim is to create and maintain a mosaic of mixed age dwarf shrub heath and other vegetation across the fell.
36.You must not increase your existing stocking level or exceed a maximum stocking level of 0.225 Livestock Units per hectare (1.5 ewes per hectare) throughout the year.
37.You must remove all your cattle, all replacement hoggs and 25% of your remaining livestock units (generally 25% of your overwintering ewes) from the fell between 1 October and the following 28 February.
38.You will receive a supplementary payment if you agree in writing with the Project Officer to remove all your livestock from the fell between 1 December and the following 28 February.
Agronomic Impact
- Loss of sheep gross margin less lease of surplus quota.
- Cost of removing 25% of ewes during winter.
- Enhancement of flock performance.
- Cost of heather burning programme and bracken management.
- Cost of extra shepherding to control grazing in the general absence of fences.
- Cost of extra shepherding to reduce grazing pressure on heather margins and recently burnt heather.
- The consideration of the supplementary payment for complete offwintering is shown below.
| £ /ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra income | ||
| Lease of sheep quota | 3.1 | |
| Enhanced sheep performance | 2.4 | |
| Costs saved | ||
| Interest on working capital (breeding ewes) | 2.1 | |
| Income lost | ||
| Reduced flock size, loss of Gross Margin | 25.0 | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Extra Shepherding | 2.2 | |
| Heather burning and bracken management | 4.3 | |
| Offwintering ewes (25%) | 7.0 | |
| Property maintenance | 1.1 | |
| Total | 39.6 | 7.6 |
| Income Forgone | 32.0 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 26,000 hectares ha
- Income Forgone
- £32/ha
- Current payment rate
- £38/ha
- Level of incentive
- 18.75%
- Justification For Incentive
- A substantial incentive is required because of the following reasons:
-
- Fell farmers are not enthusiastic about reducing sheep numbers because the flocks are integral to their way of life and their value represents the tenants capital on their retirement.
- The farmers anticipate a penalty of lower market values for sheep at the time of disposal (because of the downturn in the agricultural economy).
- There is a wide variation in flock performance and stocking rates. The major obstacle in dealing with commons is the very high levels of stocking that prevail and, therefore, the size of stock reductions that are required.
Tier 2A (Meadows)
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1 Part 1) and 19-27 (Tier 1 Part 2) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
39.Land to be managed as meadow must be identified on your agreement map and must continue to be managed as such for the length of your agreement.
40.Exclude stock from meadows at least seven weeks before cutting and by 1 June at the latest.
41.Do not cut grass in any year before 1 July. All meadows must be cut after 22 July at least once every five years. The cut crop must be removed and the aftermath grazed. You must indicate your proposed late cutting programme on your agreement map.
42.Wilt and turn grass cut for silage before removal.
43.Do not apply inorganic or organic fertiliser other than farmyard manure (FYM). Do not exceed your existing application rate of FYM and, in any case, do not use more than 12.5 tonnes of FYM per hectare (5 tons per acre) per year. Apply FYM only in a single dressing. FYM produced off the farm may only be used with prior approval of the Project Officer.
44.You must not apply any lime slag or any other substance to improve fertility or reduce acidity, or pesticides, herbicides or fungicides without prior written approval from the Project Officer.
Agronomic Impact
- Income forgone from observing relevant prescriptions under Tier 1 Parts 1 (All land) and 2 (Inbye).
- Additional cost of purchased feed to compensate for loss of yield as a result of restriction on use of fertiliser and manure.
- Additional cost of purchased feed to compensate for reduction in quality when cutting is delayed.
- Additional keep for rearing lambs as a result of reduced availability of aftermath grazing (i.e. because of late harvesting and restriction on use of fertiliser).
- Loss of spring grazing for breeding ewes.
| £ /ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | ||
| Cost Saved | - | |
| Inorganic fertiliser | 33.9 | |
| Spreading fertiliser | 7.6 | |
| Income lost | - | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Purchase hay to make-up for lost yield | 130 | |
| Purchase feed to make-up for loss of spring grazing | 26.4 | |
| Keep for rearing/fattening lambs | 30 | |
| Total | 186.4 | 41.5 |
| Income change | 144.9 | |
| Plus income forgone from observing relevant prescriptions under Tier 1 (see Inbye) | 36.7 | |
| Total | 181.6 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 750 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £181.6/ha
- Current payment rate
- £200/ha
- Level of incentive
- 10%
- Justification For Incentive
- An incentive is justified payment was justified at the most recent review to compensate for the restrictions on use of inorganic fertiliser, (which result in a poor crop of hay or silage), and the need to purchase additional hay to compensate for loss of yield (an uncertain market).
The level of revenue income forgone has declined since the previous review because of the reduction in hay prices (but this can be a dynamic market). However, the reduction in the level of payment (from £200 to £190/ha) following the 1996 review suggested to farmers that MAFF was not concerned about uptake into this tier. The incentive payment was justified to restore confidence in Tier 2 payments.
Tier 2B Intermediate heather fell
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1 Part 1), 30-34 (Tier 1 Part 4) and 35-38 (Tier 1 Part 5) plus the additional prescription set out below:-
45.You must not exceed a maximum stocking level of 0.15 Livestock Units per hectare (1 ewe per hectare) throughout the year. If your current stocking rate is less than this, you must not increase existing stocking levels during the period 1 March to 30 November.
46.You must remove all your cattle, all replacement hoggs and 25% of your remaining livestock units (generally 25% of your overwintering ewes) from the fell during the period 1 December to the following 28 February.
47.The Ministry will make a supplementary payment if you remove all your livestock from the fell between 1 December and the following 28 February.
Agronomic Impact
- Income forgone from observing all the relevant prescriptions under Tier 1 (parts 1, 4 and 5).
- Further reduction in flock size resulting in loss of sheep Gross Margin.
- Savings in labour.
- Enhancement in flock performance.
The consideration of the new supplementary payment for complete off wintering is shown below.
| £ /ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra income | ||
| Lease quota | 8.3 | |
| Enhancement of flock performance | 1.4 | |
| Costs saved | ||
| Interest on working capital (ewes) | 3.7 | |
| Income lost | ||
| Reduced number of ewes - loss of Gross Margin | 38.2 | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Off-wintering ewes (25%) | 3.2 | |
| Extra shepherding | 3.2 | |
| Heather burning and bracken management | 3.2 | |
| Total | 47.6 | 13.4 |
| Income change | 34.2 | |
| Plus income forgone from observing relevant prescriptions under Tier 1 Part 1 | 1.1 | |
| Total | 35.3 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 3,000 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £35.3/ha
- Current payment rate
- £42/ha
- Level of incentive
- 19%
- Justification For Incentive
- An incentive element is justified was justified at the most recent payment review to encourage uptake of this new tier, the success of which will be crucial to the achievement of Biodiversity Action Plan targets relating to heather fell communities.
Tier 2C (heather fell)
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1 Part 1), 30-34 (Tier 1 Part 4) and 35-38 (Tier 1 Part 5) plus the additional prescription set out below:-
- You must not exceed a maximum stocking level of 0.1 Livestock Units per hectare (0.67 ewe per hectare) throughout the year. If your current stocking rate is less than this, you must not increase existing stocking levels during the period 1 March to 30 November.
- You remove all your cattle, all replacement hoggs and 25% of your remaining livestock units (generally 25% of your overwintering ewes) from the fell during the period 1 October to the following 28 February.
- The Ministry will make a supplementary payment if you agree in writing with the Project Officer to remove all your livestock from the fell between 1 December and the following 28 February.
Agronomic Impact
- Income forgone from observing all the relevant prescriptions under Tier 1.
- Loss of sheep Gross Margin from further reduction in flock size.
- Savings in labour.
- Enhancement of flock performance.
- Renewal of boundary fencing.
- The consideration of the new supplementary payment for complete off wintering is shown below.
| £ /ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra income | ||
| Lease quota | 9.5 | |
| Enhancement of flock performance | 2.3 | |
| Costs saved | ||
| Interest on working capital (ewes) | 4.2 | |
| Income lost | ||
| Reduce number of ewes - loss of Gross Margin | 46.8 | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Offwintering ewes (25%) | 2.0 | |
| Extra shepherding | 3.2 | |
| Boundary renewal | 1.1 | |
| Heather burning and bracken management | 4.3 | |
| Total | 57.4 | 16.0 |
| Income change | 41.4 | |
| Plus income forgone from observing relevant prescriptions under Tier 1 | 1.1 | |
| Total | 42.5 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 3,750 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £42.5/ha
- Current payment rate
- £50/ha
- Level of incentive
- 18%
- Justification For Incentive
- This is the main tier for securing positive management for heather fell. As such it makes a major contribution to the justification and achievement for incentive of bio diversity action targets.
Tier 2D Managed habitat - controlled grazing
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1 Part 1) and 19-27 (Tier 1 Part 2) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
52.Land entered into this tier must be managed in a positive manner to enhance its nature conservation status. You must not carry out any operations which could be detrimental to wildlife habitats and species.
53.You must carry out a written programme of controlled grazing management agreed with the Project Officer. You must not increase existing stocking levels except with the prior written agreement of the Project Officer.
54.Grazing animals must be controlled by stockproof walls, hedges or fences, cattle grids, shepherding or other suitable means so they do not overgraze or undergraze or cause damage by poaching.
55.You must not apply any organic or inorganic fertilisers, lime slag or any other substance to improve fertility or reduce acidity, or pesticides, herbicides or fungicides without the Project Officer's written agreement.
Agronomic Impact
- Presumption against the use of inorganic fertiliser and manures.
- Agreement on controlled grazing is likely to result in reduction in the level of stocking and some expenditure on new fencing.
| £ /ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra income | ||
| Leased sheep quota | 13.4 | |
| Costs saved | ||
| Interest on working capital (breeding ewes) | 4.0 | |
| Reduced use of inorganic fertiliser | 17.0 | |
| Spreading fertiliser | 7.5 | |
| Income lost | ||
| Reduced number of ewes - loss of Gross Margin | 86.5 | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Expense on new fencing net of grant | 3.2 | |
| Hay to displaced ewes in spring | 14 | |
| Total | 103.7 | 41.9 |
| Income change | 61.8 | |
| Plus income forgone from observing relevant prescriptions under Tier 1 (see Inbye) | 36.7 | |
| Total | 98.5 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 1,200 hectares ha
- Income Forgone
- £98.5/ha
- Current payment rate
- £100/ha
- Level of incentive
- 1.5%
Small woodland management and regeneration tier
Scheme Prescriptions
56.Adopt a programme agreed in writing with the Project Officer to enhance the conservation and landscape value of woodland. This will involve making and keeping the woodland stockproof and the carrying out of an ongoing programme of woodland management. Individual areas of woodland below 1 ha may be entered into this tier.
Agronomic Impact
- Sheep mortality as a result of loss of shelter.
- Cost of extra hay required as a result of loss of winter grazing by sheep.
- Cost of fencing to make the woodland stockproof.
- Cost of managing woodland.
| £ /ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra income | - | |
| Costs saved | - | |
| Income lost | ||
| Livestock gross margin | 62.6 | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Hay | 16 | |
| Fencing, to exclude grazing livestock | 127.4 | |
| Woodland management | 34.6 | |
| Total | 240.6 | |
| Income Forgone | 240.6 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 80 hectares ha
- Income Forgone
- £241/ha
- Current payment rate
- £200/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Supplementary payment for drystone wall restoration
Scheme Prescription
Prescription 16 of Tier 1A.
Agronomic Impact
- This may involve the rebuilding of gaps to make non-stockproof walls stockproof or the dismantling and rebuilding of stockproof walling in poor condition. Payment is made on the basis of the length of wall restored in each year within an approved programme x payment rate £/m.
Income Forgone Calculation -Supplementary Payment for Drystone Wall Restoration
The current rate of £16 per metre is based on an average walling contractor charge of £21.60 per metre x 80% payment rate to equate with Conservation Plan grant.
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 175 km
- Income Forgone
- £22/m
- Current payment rate
- £20/m
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Hedge restoration supplement
Scheme Prescription
Prescription 16 of Tier 1A.
Agronomic Impact
1.Costs of restoring existing hedges: which could include planting, coppicing and laying.
Income Forgone Calculation -Hedge Restoration Supplement
In the Lake District, the cost of each operation is about £9 per metre.
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 50km
- Income Forgone
- £9/m
- Current payment rate
- £4/m
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Supplement for removal of all ewes during winter
Scheme Prescriptions
Prescription 38 of Tier 1 Part 5; 47 of Tier 2B; 50 of Tier 2C.
Income Forgone Calculation - Supplement for Removal of all Ewes During Winter
The estimated cost of off-wintering ewes from 1 December to 28 February is £15/ewe. The maximum cost per hectare relates to 75% of the flock of ewes after the removal of 25% required to comply with the ESA agreement. The calculation is therefore based on a maximum stocking rate of 1.4 ewes/ha (overall average stocking rate of flocks under Tier 1 Heather Fell agreements). This produces on income forgone of £16/ha.
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 3,000ha.
- Income Forgone
- £16 per ha
- Current payment rate
- £15 per ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Commons supplement
Many of the most interesting areas of moorland in the Lake District are also commons. Managing an ESA agreement on commons can be particularly difficult, especially where there are a large number of right holders and stocking rates must be significantly reduced in order to comply with the ESA prescriptions. In recognition of this, an annual supplementary payment will be made per hectare of common land under agreement.
- Income Forgone
- £ 5/ha
- Current payment
- £ 5/ha
Page last modified:
17 August, 2005
Page published: 10 December, 2002