The launch of the new Rural Payments and Services system last year was also the launch of a new Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

One of these new SRDP’s is the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) which is run jointly with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Rural Payments & Inspections Division (RPID). The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) is aimed at providing funding to farmers for Projects to promote the Land Management practices taking place; to enhance and protect Scotland’s natural heritage, mitigate and manage flood risks, improve the water supply quality and to adapt to the on-going climate change across the Globe. Along with helping to protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage it will also preserve the Historic Sites which are situated all across Scotland. AECS will be run between 2015 and 2020 with a total funding of £350million available to Scottish Landowners. The 2015 Applications deadline has passed and RPID are in the process of finalising these Applications. The start date for 2016 Application has not yet been announced but it will be in early 2016.

There are a number of Projects, although these are not available on every Holding. Through the Rural Payments and Services website you can discover what is available for your farm, depending on whether your Farm is arable or upland.

These Projects are either Management or Capital Items. Management Items are the Projects which you can enter into on your land and then the Capital Item is something that you can team your Management Item with on the same Field Parcel.

If you would like help in finding out what will be the best Management Option for your Holding please contact Samantha Howatson or Sarah Bell in our Office and they will help point you in the right direction.