A Guide To Agricultural Compliance Schemes

In the UK, several farming compliance schemes are designed to ensure that agricultural practices meet specific standards for environmental protection, animal welfare, and food safety. In this update, we look at seven of the main farming compliance schemes in the UK:

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)
Purpose: Provides financial support to farmers based on the amount of land they manage.
Compliance Requirements: Farmers must meet specific land use and management criteria, including crop diversification, maintaining permanent grassland, and ecological focus areas.

The Rural Payment Agency (RPA) will replace the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England with delinked payments in 2024. Delinked payments will be paid each year from 2024 to 2027, with the first payment of around 50% from 1 August and the balance payments from 1 December.

Countryside Stewardship
Purpose: Provides financial incentives for farmers to manage their land in an environmentally friendly way.
Compliance Requirements: Farmers must implement practices that benefit biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce flood risk. Options include planting hedgerows, creating wildlife habitats, and reducing soil erosion.

Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS)
Purpose: A new scheme set to replace the BPS and Countryside Stewardship, focusing on paying farmers to deliver “public goods” such as improved biodiversity, water quality, and soil health.
Compliance Requirements: Participation will require adherence to specific environmental practices and outcomes, though details are still being finalized as the scheme is being rolled out.

Red Tractor Assurance
Purpose: A certification scheme that covers food safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection.
Compliance Requirements: Farmers must adhere to rigorous standards, which are regularly audited. Standards cover areas such as livestock housing, feed, health and welfare, crop production, and environmental management.

LEAF Marque (Linking Environment And Farming)
Purpose: A global environmental assurance system recognizing sustainably farmed products.
Compliance Requirements: Farmers must meet LEAF’s Integrated Farm Management (IFM) standards, which include soil management, crop health, pollution control, and biodiversity enhancement.

Assured Food Standards
Purpose: Provides certification for different types of farming, including crops, livestock, dairy, and produce.
Compliance Requirements: Farmers must meet specific standards for food safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection, which are verified through regular inspections.

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF)
Purpose: A partnership between the Environment Agency and Natural England to help farmers reduce water pollution from agriculture.
Compliance Requirements: Farmers receive advice and grants to implement practices that reduce diffuse water pollution, such as buffer strips, cover crops, and improved slurry management.

These schemes collectively aim to promote sustainable farming practices, ensure food safety, and protect the environment in the UK. Compliance with these schemes often involves regular audits, adherence to specific standards, and sometimes financial incentives or support for participating farmers.

If you need help or advice regarding eligibility, application, or compliance with any of the above schemes, please don’t hesitate to call Ray Phillips on 01522 696496, email ray@walters-rural.com, or use our contact form.