Conservation grants provide funding for habitat creation, improvement and management. Funding is provided by the European Union and each country in the UK has interpreted and implemented European legislation differently. Since 1 January 2015 there are new European Union funds and new rules apply.
Countryside Stewardship is the environmental land management scheme administered by Natural England.
Countryside Stewardship helps to improve flood management, landscape character, genetic conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
In November 2017 a number of new streamlined Countryside Stewardship options were announced.
Existing (2007-2013) conservation grants under Environmental Stewardship – administered by Natural England – will continue to operate but will be closed to new applications.
The Welsh Government administers agricultural schemes. Glastir is the sustainable land management scheme, through which financial support is given to farmers and land managers.
The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) scheme guidance is available from the Scottish Government website.
Northern Ireland Agri-environment schemes details are available from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs website.
Green Shoots People know that our countryside, and the wildlife it supports, is under increasing pressure – but how much more pressure would there be without the influence of shooting sports? Nearly £250 million is spent on conservation every year. BASC strives to have this recognised by politicians, the media
Spent and Misfired Cartridge Disposal What sort of waste are spent shotgun cartridges? According to guidance from the Environment Agency (EA), spent shotgun cartridges are classed as a ‘Directive Waste’. The phrase “Directive Waste” refers to European legislation called the Waste Framework Directive. Directive wastes include nearly all household, commercial
Lowland Game Shooting Study Biodiversity on lowland farm landscapes has been in decline since before the middle of the last century, largely as a result of agricultural intensification. However, a number of demonstration projects and studies on specific habitats have shown that management for shooting has the effect of slowing
