Agri-Environment Scheme - Skeim y Çhymmyltaght Eirinagh

The Scheme was designed, and is owned, by DEFA, with the on-farm support delivered by Manx Wildlife Trust. In addition, external to MWT or DEFA, specialist agronomy advice is provided by Caroline Perry of Island Land-Based Services Ltd. The Scheme is open to all Active Farmers and applicable to all of their ADS-declared landholding, whether tenanted or owner-occupied.

MWT FARM VISITS

You can request an unlimited number of no charge farm visits from MWT at any time, indeed for capital projects we recommend farmers involve us at the planning stage and prior to any application being made. During an MWT farm visit we will discuss existing habitats and wildlife of interest on your farm and offer advice on the ambitions of the farmer in relation to the Scheme, ensuring you are aware of all the initiatives you are eligible for. We can even assist with drafting application forms and creating required application maps. It is important to note that MWT are not DEFA Field Officers/farm inspectors and will never try to force a farmer to do anything they do not want to do (it is after all a voluntary scheme). Neither do we designate land for ASSI status (this is exclusively a DEFA function).

APPLICATION & APPROVAL

1. Application (active farmer initiatives).  Most initiatives can be applied for on a single form which is included within your annual ADS, AES and Census paperwork (received in the post at the end of each April, with a return deadline of 11th May). After submission forms, MWT or Caroline Perry will contact applicants at a suitable time of the year to inspect the Management Conditions included in the AES Handbook are being met and make a recommendation of payment to DEFA. 
2. Application (capital projects and management of priority habitats).  Capital projects (new hedges, new dubs etc) and the management of existing priority habitats (fungi-rich grasslands, traditional late-cut hay meadows etc) have bespoke application forms owing to their more complex nature. It is recommended that farmers contact MWT directly before applying, as we can assist with the forms. Under expenditure, self-labour is acceptable and this should be quoted and later internally invoiced (we recommend that you base such applications on the latest NAAC farm contractor charges). DEFA will pass all capital project applications to MWT for an ecological approval, so involving MWT at the drafting stage can omit this step. 
3. Deadlines.  For the Scheme Year 2023/2024 there will simply be two deadlines, a summer deadline (11th May 2023) for most initiatives and a winter deadline (for the winter-only arable options). Capital projects can be applied for at any time.
4. Approval (capital projects).  DEFA endeavour to review the farmer’s application and MWT's recommendations within 4 weeks and either approve or reject the application.  Successful applicants will receive a Claim Form outlining the full expenditure recoverable and the required Management Conditions.  In the event of a refused application, you will be informed in writing and have a right to appeal.
5. Undertake the project.  Once a capital project is approved via a Claim Form, a farmer may undertake the initiative. In line with all DEFA grants, farmers must pay for initiatives up front and claim back in arrears. Part-claims for larger projects are allowed.
6. Payment.  The farmer must return their Claim Form to DEFA, including related invoices and photos of works. DEFA will review the Claim Form and may direct MWT to undertake a check (at a time convenient to you) that the Management Conditions have been met. Capital projects are paid out on the next available monthly payment run. Active farmer initiatives are paid at the end of the financial year in arrears. If payment is rejected for any reason, you have a right to appeal. 

There are over 40 specific Initiatives outlined in the Handbook which cover arable and pastoral farming across both the lowlands and uplands. Initiatives include the creation of desirable permanent habitats (e.g. dubs, hedges) and beneficial transient habitats (e.g. winter stubble), along with the enhancement of existing habitats (e.g. repairing sod hedges or drystone walls).

Additionally, money is available for the beneficial management of existing habitats and diffuse pollution management. Furthermore, there is a wide range of agricultural initiatives (soil sampling, management plans, lime, clover, organic conversion etc). Grants for wildlife nest boxes and educational visits also exist. Finally, for Above Mountain Line land there is an Upland Stewardship option that in 2022-2023 gives a payment for the drafting/renewing of a sustainable upland habitat management plan and is applicable to land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition only.

PRIMARY INITIATIVES

The following are considered to be ‘Primary Initiatives’ and do not require a farm visit from MWT, however we will be happy to visit on request. To apply for these, every farmer is sent the Primary Initiatives Application Form in late April along with the annual ADS paperwork.

Should you be registering as an Active Farmer after May 2022, please complete the Primary Initiatives Application Form as soon as possible.  

• Winter Stubbles
• Winter Fodder Crops (grazed)
• Traditional Spring Cropping
• Conservation Headlands
• Unharvested Cereals
• Biennial Wild Bird Seed/Wildflower Strips
• Buffer Strips on Cultivated Land
• Crop Nutrient Management Plan
• Manure Management Plan
• Infield Grass Strips
• Winter Cover Crops (not grazed or cultivated until 15^th February)
• Legumes for Combining or Harvested Forage
• Legume Rich Swards for Grazing (Clover Leys)
• Integrated Pest Management Plan
• Herd/Flock Health Plan
• Key Performance Indicators (Productivity Benchmarking)
• Herbal Leys

CAPITAL INITIATIVES

**Farmers must not start any capital initiatives until full written approval has been given by DEFA. No payments can be made for any items of expenditure or any capital work commenced prior to formal Government approval in writing.**

The following are considered to be ‘Capital Initiatives’ and require a bespoke application form containing more details. Forms are available from the DEFA Agri-Environment webpage. Habitat creation and Farmer Initiatives will require a site visit by MWT, who can help assist with the paperwork. While farmers are able to apply to DEFA directly, it is strongly advised that applications apply via MWT as we have much experience in ensuring applications are completed with sufficient justification to ensure speedy approval by DEFA officers.

• Woodland Planting
• Dubs, Scrapes and Wetland Habitats
• New Hedge Planting
• Farmer Initiatives (for any ideas not covered elsewhere)
• Hedge Enhancement
• Hedge Management
• Dry Stone Walling
• Manx Sod Hedging
• Control of Invasive Species
• Soil Sampling
• Lime Grant
• Certified Organic – Conversion and Management
• Pest and Disease Monitoring
• Delivering a Unique and Desirable Habitat
• Wildlife / Nest Boxes
• Educational Visits for School Children
• Upland Stewardship Scheme

After the farm visit, the farmer (or us on the farmer’s behalf) will send the completed application form to DEFA. Once this has happened, Manx Wildlife Trust will also submit their ecological recommendations to DEFA to ensure there is ‘Net Biodiversity Gain’.

Manx Wildlife Trust are pleased that DEFA have ensured maximum flexibility for farmers by including for Farmer Initiatives, which allows any farmers to apply for anything not included elsewhere. This is over and above similar schemes in neighbouring jurisdictions and allows for the ambitions of each farm business to be met by tailoring the scheme to each individual farm when required.