Uk Rural Payments Agency

Environmental Stewardship Scheme Query Form

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has published a query form for Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreement holders to raise questions about their ES payments, claims, or disagreements with RPA decisions. The form can be submitted via email to ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk, by post to Environmental Stewardship PO Box 390, Worksop, or through the Rural Payments online service. This is an administrative tool to help farmers and land managers query their ES agreements.

Deer Fencing Grant FG9, £10.27 per metre, Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026

The Rural Payments Agency and Natural England publish grant item FG9 under Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026, offering £10.27 per metre for deer fencing to protect woodland and wood pasture from deer browsing. Eligible applicants must install fences meeting Forestry Commission specifications for height, mesh size, and woodwork dimensions based on deer species (roe, muntjac, red, sika, or fallow). The grant supports biodiversity and carbon capture by enabling trees to grow beyond browsing height.

Grants and Funding Schemes for Farmers, Growers and Land Managers

The Rural Payments Agency, Defra, and Forestry Commission publish guidance on grants and funding schemes for farmers, growers, and land managers in England. The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme is currently closed with two application windows opening in 2026. The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) opens in September 2025 by invitation only. Eligible applicants may apply for environmental land management scheme funding to support sustainable farming practices.

Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1 Guidance for Invited Applicants

The Rural Payments Agency and Defra published guidance for round 1 of the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare grant, available only to invited applicants. The grant provides £5,000 to £500,000 for commercial egg producers and pullet rearers to upgrade or replace laying hen or pullet housing, or add verandas to improve animal health and welfare. Applications must be submitted by 28 April 2026.

Slurry Infrastructure Grant Round 2 Guidance for Invited Applicants

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) published guidance for invited applicants for Round 2 of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant in England. The grant helps farmers of pigs, beef or dairy cattle improve or expand slurry storage capacity to meet 6-month (beef/dairy cattle) or 8-month (pigs) storage requirements. Grant values range from £25,000 to £250,000, with a deadline of 11.59pm on 30 September 2024 for the slurry store location and design assessment form.