Management options and capital items
This is an old version of the page
Date published: 13 January, 2022
Date superseded: 21 January, 2023
The version of this page applicable to the AECS 2021 restricted round can be found in the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme full guidance archive
For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.
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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 tool please 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 2022 application round. Corn Buntings Mown Grassland Corncrake Mown Grassland Corncrake Grazing Management Management of Cover for Corncrake Converting arable at risk of erosion or flooding to low-input grassland Management of floodplains Water use efficiency – Irrigation Lagoon Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Sediment Traps and Bunds Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Swales Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Pond Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Wetland River embankment breaching, lowering or removal Restore (protect) river banks For some options, there is the ability to undertake activities, which are generally not permitted, as long as you have prior approval before you carry out your activity, 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. It is up to the Case officer to assess if the activity proposed is acceptable. Justification will need to be provided as part of your 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. If the activity is approved, the AECS contract itself acts as the “prior approval”. |
Table of Contents
- 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, each option and capital item webpage has a link to Supporting Information with recommendations and best practice in relation to the why, where, how and what for each option and capital item. It is important to read this before you prepare your application.
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.
Arable options
- Unharvested Conservation Headlands for Wildlife
- Wild Bird Seed for Farmland Birds
- Forage Brassica Crops for Farmland Birds
- Stubbles Followed by Green Manure in an Arable Rotation
- Retention of Winter Stubbles for Wildlife and Water Quality
- Beetlebanks
- Grass Strips in Arable Fields
- Water Margins in Arable Fields
- Cropped Machair
Grassland options
- Species-rich Grassland Management
- Water Margins in Grassland Fields
- Wader and Wildlife Mown Grassland
- Wader Grazed Grassland
- Corn Buntings Mown Grassland
- Corncrake Mown Grassland
- Corncrake Grazing Management
- Management of Cover for Corncrake
- Chough Mown Grassland
- Chough Grazing Management
- Hen Harrier Grassland Management
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
- Control of Invasive Non-native Plant Species – Primary Treatment
- Control of Invasive Non-native Plant Species – Follow-up Monitoring and Treatment
- Rhododendron Control – Manual Eradication – Light, Medium or Difficult
- Rhododendron Control – Mechanised Eradication – Light, Medium or Difficult
- Rhododendron Control – Stem Injection Eradication – Medium or Difficult
- Rhododendron Control – Foliar Spray / Treatment
- Rhododendron Control – Follow-up Treatment
Managing water quality and flood risk options
- Converting Arable at Risk of Erosion or Flooding to Low-input Grassland
- Management of Floodplains
- Alternative Watering
- Coastal Embankment Breaching, Lowering or Removal
- Hard Standings for Troughs and Gateways
- Livestock Crossing
- Livestock Tracks
- Managing Steading Drainage and Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems
- Pesticide Handling Facilities
- Restoring (Protecting) River Banks
- River Embankment Breaching, Lowering or Removal
- Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Pond
- Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Sediment Traps and Bunds
- Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Swales
- Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Wetland
- Water-use Efficiency – Irrigation Lagoon
Organic options
Improving Public access options
All capital items
Recent Changes
Version in place for 2021 round can be found in the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme full guidance archive – see ‘previous versions’ below.
| Section | Change |
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| Whole page | Updates for 2022 |