UK sets out merger plans for CAP environment schemes

摘要

England is to merge its two main existing agri-environment schemes into a single new scheme as part of changes to be undertaken in line with the reform of the CAP.The new UK minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, George Eustice, outlined plans to merge the Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) scheme and the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme at the Multifunctional Landscapes Roadshow held at Westminster on Wednesday (October 16).According to Eustice, the "new environmentally-led payment would combine the best elements of the existing schemes. It would maintain the best features of environmental stewardship but in a more integrated manner."At present, the five-year ELS scheme -originally designed to be an agri-environmental programme which all farmers could access - covers almost 60% of English farmland. The 10-year Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, which has more advanced stewardship requirements, encompasses a further 10%.