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Farming & food Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier – complete the pre-application process to be able to apply  Only people who have been invited to apply, received pre-application advice and completed any preparatory work will be able to apply for the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) when it opens for applications in September.  Please contact […]

A new version of the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) – the quality assurance standard for UK woodland carbon projects – has been published with the early indications looking like the update will be financially and practically beneficial to landowners and land managers alike.  Version 3 of the WCC was officially launched on 1 August. However, […]

The window is narrowing for farms and estate businesses to prepare for the forthcoming inheritance tax (IHT) reforms. The recent draft Finance Bill confirmed the planned changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), due to take effect from April 2026. The implications for farming businesses are significant, and while industry bodies […]

Managing public access can present serious challenges for land managers – from livestock worrying and gates left open, to crops damaged by people straying from footpaths. For some, it also means fly-tipping, motorbike damage or general tension with members of the public who may not understand or respect the working nature of the land. The […]

Farming & food Is your farm turning a truly sustainable profit? (UK) Farming is facing a range of significant challenges, including the ending of Basic Payments, changes to inheritance tax and climate change.  These pressures are sparking urgent conversations – both in the industry and in Government – about what needs to change to support […]

Farming is facing a perfect storm of challenges – from the end of Basic Payments to growing environmental pressures and increasingly extreme weather. These pressures are sparking urgent conversations – both in the industry and in Government – about what needs to change to support farm profitability. Former NFU President Baroness Minette Batters is currently […]

Defra has announced that the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (HT) scheme will open for applications in September 2025, to those who have been invited to apply. It has been a long wait for this moment – the application window was last open in autumn 2023. But it is a welcome move given the current […]

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a landmark market-led policy that’s helping to restore nature while unlocking sustainable development. But as the Government considers changes to the policy, new research has identified opportunities for how it could be strengthened to deliver even greater benefits for nature, developers and communities. The report, The Comparative Value of On-site vs […]

Farming & food Capital Grants scheme already 50% allocated so act quickly (England) Defra has said that just over half of available funds have been allocated to around 5,000 applications.  The round will close to applications when the available funding (£150m) has been committed, so act quickly if you might want to apply.  Funding is […]

Strutt & Parker’s Rural team brings you a roundup of the latest environmental and renewables news and views. Environmental insights from our team Long-term nature agreements – what landowners need to consider (England) As interest grows in Landscape Recovery and similar long-term environmental schemes, land managers are weighing up the opportunities – and the long-term […]

Farming is demanding – physically, mentally, and logistically. But taking just a few moments to think ahead can help prevent serious accidents and keep your team safe. Ahead of Farm Safety Week (21-25 July 2025), here are five practical things you can start doing today: 1. Pause for thought. Before taking action, particularly if it […]

Defra has announced the reopening of its Capital Grants scheme, which provides funding to cover part or all the cost of activities or equipment which will help the environment and support habitat restoration. The scheme had been closed for new applications since November 2024. There are 78 items available through the Capital Grant offer, which […]