Increased payments for HLS measures

From July the enhanced rewards will be available for seven items including hedgerow, stone wall and bank restoration, fencing, and the blocking of grip drainage channels.

The move brings the payments in line with the rates paid under Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (Uplands ELS).

In most cases the increases will be in the region of 40 per cent – 80 per cent above the current rate, although earth bank restoration will more than triple from £3/metre to £10.10/metre.

Natural England says the move will bring more money into the rural economy and make HLS an even more attractive proposition for farmers.

Farmers in existing HLS agreements will benefit from 2011 and farmers currently applying for HLS can defer their start date to July 1 2010 to take advantage of the increased rates.

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