Rural Payments and Services

This is available for landowners who require agent services with relation to dealing with Phytophthora ramorum. Infected sites within the management zone are not eligible for this capital item.

The agent will visit the owner to discuss his/her minimum obligations under the SPHN. The advice will include the options for taking the support payment for clearing or felling immature/inaccessible/uneconomic larch, and the recovery and marketing of wood through the road haulage and timber processing licence system.

After this visit the owner can make the choice of organising the work themselves or using the other levels of service from the approved agent.

Advice will be provided on:

• the requirement of the SPHN
• the clearance payments, what they are and what they apply to
• the realistic options for undertaking the work and the likely costs to the landowner
• approved agent to supply written confirmation of the service provided to accompany grant claim