The five-year ELS agreements are due for renewal in
2010. We outline the key actions required.
In 2010, nearly 14,000 Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) agreements
will come up for renewal. Natural England (NE) has a target of 70%
of the Utilisable Agricultural Area (UAA) in England to be under an
environmental agreement. The area currently in schemes is just
under 66%. Therefore, just to keep levels where they are, never
mind increase them to the target figure, a high proportion of those
ELS agreement holders will need to resign. NE hopes to get a
renewal rate of around 90%.
There is a question mark over whether this rate will be
achieved. The ELS has changed since it was launched in 2005, when
the agreements now ending were entered into. Significantly, the
loss of management plans will make it more difficult for many
businesses to reach the 30 points per hectare (Ha) total.
Furthermore, for those considering renewing their agreement, the
fact that the scheme has
