SW14: Nil fertiliser supplement
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the nil fertiliser supplement.
How much will be paid
£156 per hectare (ha)
Where to use this supplement
It’s available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier on whole or part parcels:
- greater than 1ha
- in combination with either SW7 - Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input or SW8 - Management of intensive grassland adjacent to a watercourse
You must have support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) officer to use this supplement and must also meet one of the following conditions.
- Be following a recommended fertiliser management system to plan nutrient inputs across the farm
- Plan to adopt a recommended fertiliser management system within 18 months of the start of the agreement
- Qualify as a low intensity farmer
How this supplement will benefit the environment
It helps to reduce the risk of nitrate loss to ground and surface water by reducing nutrient inputs to zero.
Aims
If you’re selected for a site visit, we will check that delivery of the aims is being met and the prohibited activities have not been carried out. This will ensure the environmental benefits are being delivered.
Throughout the year there will be no fertiliser or manure applied to the parcel.
Prohibited activities
To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities.
- Apply any fertilisers or manures
On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any prohibited activities.
Recommended management
To assist you in achieving the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this option, we recommend that you use best practice.
- Please refer to Aims, Prohibited activities and Additional guidance and advice
Keeping records
You must send the following with your application.
- Written support from a CSF officer
Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.
- Evidence that you are using a recommended fertiliser management system or that you are a low intensity farmer
Additional guidance and advice
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) operates in parts of the country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and training. See guidance for further information on CSF support
Biodiversity
This supplement has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier and Higher Tier including how to apply.
Last updated 8 February 2022 + show all updates
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New payment rate from 1 January 2022.
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'Air quality' added to Land use.
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Option updated for agreements starting 1 January 2022
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The Keeping records section of this page has been updated
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016.
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First published.