Rural Payments and Services

Farmers, crofters and land managers are reminded that the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) application period for slurry storage and standalone irrigation lagoon options will close on 19 April 2024.

This will be the final year that support will be available for slurry storage.

Further details and how to apply can be found in the slurry storage guidance and irrigation lagoon guidance.

Background

Slurry storage

From 1 January 2026 all businesses that produce slurry by housed livestock must have sufficient slurry storage capacity to store the total quantity of slurry likely to be produced in 26 weeks by housed pigs or 22 weeks by housed cattle. Successful AECS applicants will be required to provide 26 weeks storage for cattle slurry to ensure resilience against increasing rainfall due to climate change.

The standard cost for cubic metre of capacity created has been increased to £20/m3 with the maximum grant payment now £40,000 per business with additional support for ancillary equipment. A further uplift of up to 10% on the awarded costs will be available to successful Islands applicants.

Irrigation lagoons

Periods of drought in some areas has led to restrictions on the abstraction of water in recent years and the need to take steps to mitigate against water scarcity is becoming increasingly evident.

Applicants can apply for support for irrigation lagoons as a standalone application and the maximum grant payment rates has been increased to £40,000 per business.

Applications for irrigation lagoons that also include AECS management proposals must be submitted in the main Agri-Environment application window 1 February to 10 June 2024.