Management options and capital items

This is an old version of the page

Date published: 23 January, 2021

Date superseded: 14 January, 2022

For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.

Important updates
In 2021 AECS will be restricted to the following application types: Applications to benefit protected (designated) areas Organic farming Vulnerable Priority Bird species – Waders, Corncrakes & Corn Buntings Slurry storage Improving Public Access (IPA) Applications for Vulnerable Priority species (VPS) are limited to the following bird species in 2021: Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Corncrake & Corn Bunting). Only options and capital items listed against the VPS can be included. For further details, consult the How to Apply page. Applications for protected (designated) areas (SSSIs and European sites) must only contain the options and capital items that will directly benefit the designated features of the site. Applications for organic farming must only contain organic conversion or maintenance options. Capital items are only permitted on organic conversion projects under exceptional circumstances. Please note that Improving Public Access (IPA) is not open for application until 1 March 2021 (closing on 30 June 2021). The guidance for IPA is currently being updated and further information will be issued nearer the time. Please use the Targeting tool to check which options are available on your holding. You must enter all location codes separately for all holdings that form part of your farm business and which you wish to include in your AECS application. Some options may only be available on some holdings. If you find your location code is not appearing on the targeting toolplease contact your local RPID or NatureScot (formerly SNH) office to discuss this matter further. Updated spatial target maps have been added for the following options for the 2021 application round. Unharvested Conservation Headlands for Wildlife Corn Buntings Mown Grassland Also, for the 2021 round, the spatial target map for the Wild Bird Seed for Farmland Birds option has been removed. This option will be available throughout Scotland if it is an option available to your application type. For some options, there is the ability to undertake activities, generally not permitted, if you have prior approval, e.g. do not apply lime, unless you have prior approval. In general, prior approval is only granted in exceptional circumstances, for example, when the case is made that an activity is required to maintain or enhance biodiversity value. The AECS contract provides the prior approval and it is up to the Case officer to assess if the activity proposed is acceptable. Justification will need to be provided as part of the application. You may wish to discuss the activity proposed before submission, to ensure that it is appropriate. Otherwise, there is a risk that the case officer will not approve it. As all the activities requiring prior approval are slight deviations from the option management requirements, if approval is not granted, it will result in you having to adhere to all management requirements as they stand, or removing the option from your application. If, by removing the option, there is a significant change to the scale and value of the application, there is a risk that the whole application will be rejected.

Important updates

In 2021 AECS will be restricted to the following application types:

Applications to benefit protected (designated) areas
Organic farming
Vulnerable Priority Bird species – Waders, Corncrakes & Corn Buntings
Slurry storage
Improving Public Access (IPA)

Applications for Vulnerable Priority species (VPS) are limited to the following bird species in 2021: Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Corncrake & Corn Bunting). Only options and capital items listed against the VPS can be included. For further details, consult the How to Apply page.

Applications for protected (designated) areas (SSSIs and European sites) must only contain the options and capital items that will directly benefit the designated features of the site.

Applications for organic farming must only contain organic conversion or maintenance options. Capital items are only permitted on organic conversion projects under exceptional circumstances.

Please note that Improving Public Access (IPA) is not open for application until 1 March 2021 (closing on 30 June 2021). The guidance for IPA is currently being updated and further information will be issued nearer the time.

Please use the Targeting tool to check which options are available on your holding.

You must enter all location codes separately for all holdings that form part of your farm business and which you wish to include in your AECS application. Some options may only be available on some holdings.

If you find your location code is not appearing on the targeting toolplease contact your local RPID or NatureScot (formerly SNH) office to discuss this matter further.
Updated spatial target maps have been added for the following options for the 2021 application round.

Unharvested Conservation Headlands for Wildlife
Corn Buntings Mown Grassland

Also, for the 2021 round, the spatial target map for the Wild Bird Seed for Farmland Birds option has been removed. This option will be available throughout Scotland if it is an option available to your application type.

For some options, there is the ability to undertake activities, generally not permitted, if you have prior approval, e.g. do not apply lime, unless you have prior approval.

In general, prior approval is only granted in exceptional circumstances, for example, when the case is made that an activity is required to maintain or enhance biodiversity value. The AECS contract provides the prior approval and it is up to the Case officer to assess if the activity proposed is acceptable. Justification will need to be provided as part of the application. You may wish to discuss the activity proposed before submission, to ensure that it is appropriate. Otherwise, there is a risk that the case officer will not approve it.

As all the activities requiring prior approval are slight deviations from the option management requirements, if approval is not granted, it will result in you having to adhere to all management requirements as they stand, or removing the option from your application. If, by removing the option, there is a significant change to the scale and value of the application, there is a risk that the whole application will be rejected.

Arable options
Grassland options
Upland, peatland, moorland and heath options
Wetland and bog options
Farmland habitat and feature options
Small unit options
Control of invasive non-native species options
Managing water quality and flood risk options
Organic options
Improving Public access options
All capital items
Previous versions

A wide range of management options and capital items are available under the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme.

There are rules and management requirements for each and they must be followed over the course of your contract. Also, supporting information is available which provides recommendations and best practice in relation to the why, where, how and what for each option and capital item.

For all arable options, the spatial targeting maps include the entire upland area. This is to allow for arable activity on the in-bye in these areas, it does not mean all the upland area is eligible for these options.

Only land which meets the individual option eligibility requirements can be entered for the option. For example, you cannot apply for Wild bird seed for Farmland Birds on rough grazing. If you have any queries, please contact your local RPID or NatureScot office.

Supporting information is available which provides recommendations and best practice in relation to the why, where, how and what for each option and capital item.

“*if you think any of these options may be necessary for managing a designated site, you must contact NatureScot to discuss further before submitting your application“

**If you think Alternative Watering may be necessary for organic conversion management, you must contact RPID to discuss further before submitting your application