Rural Payments and Services

The aim of this option is to maintain or improve the quality of the moorland habitat by grazing with cattle during the summer.

Grazing with cattle during the summer can benefit moorlands because they graze less selectively than sheep, creating a more diverse vegetation structure which in turn benefits fine-leaved grasses, flowering plants, moorland birds and other wildlife.

Land that is rough grazing is eligible.

You should not include areas of land covering rocks, scree, water, dense bracken etc. We will check this using the same approach we use to check land for the Basic Payment Scheme.

Assessing your land eligibility

You must combine this option with the Moorland Management option.

This option is available within the target area shown on this map. It may be possible to apply for this option outside this area where there is strong justification as endorsed by NatureScot (Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage).

You can check if this option is available on your holding using the search targeting tool which can be found on any of the following AECS guidance pages:

AECS Home

Eligibility

How to Apply

Management Options and Capital Items

Capital Items

You must detail in your moorland management plan the number of cattle that you propose to summer on the hill, and how this will benefit the moorland habitat.

You must identify on a 1:10,000 map the location where cattle will summer graze.

You must manage the same location and extent each year for the duration of your contract.

• you must graze with cattle for at least 12 weeks between 1 May and 31 August
• you must maintain a diary

You can claim £3.19 per hectare per year.

For the purposes of payment, it is assumed that each bovine grazed on the hill will benefit 20 hectares of moorland.

The inspectors will check:

• you must manage the same location and extent each year for the duration of your contract
• you have grazed the area subject to payment with cattle for at least 12 weeks between 1 May and 31 August
• you have grazed with at least one bovine per 20 hectares in relation to the area you have claimed
• you have maintained a diary

Supporting guidance is available for this option.

Section	Change
Application requirements	Moorland Management Plan template updated.

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