OT5: Organic land management - top fruit
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the organic land management - top fruit option.
How much will be paid
£1,920 per hectare (ha)
Where to use this option
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier on whole parcels only on:
- land registered as ‘fully organic’ by a Defra-licensed organic control body
- parcels that are managed primarily for the production of top fruit (such as apples, pears and plums) and permanent bush crops (such as gooseberries and redcurrants)
- orchards that are fully stocked at the appropriate spacing for the species and variety of the fruit tree or bush
Where this option cannot be used
- On orchards that are used for the production of alcoholic drinks
- On orchards that are not in commercial production
Related Mid Tier options
Where eligibility rules allow, you can use other Countryside Stewardship options and supplements relevant to orchard management on the same land area.
How this option will benefit the environment
It maintains top fruit orchards under organic management, providing a range of environmental and public benefits.
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.
All trees will be protected from damage, including by animals. Newly planted trees will have a 1 metre (m)diameter circle around the base clear of vegetation for 3 years after planting.
Organic standards will be adhered to for the duration of the agreement.
Prohibited activities
To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities.
- None
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.
We recommend that you:
- protect trees to prevent damage from livestock and wild animals
- manage tree guards to prevent any damage to growing trees
Keeping records
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.
- A valid organic certificate and schedule for all the parcels entered into this option
- Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
- Photographs of the trees entered into this option
- Copies of sales receipts for fruit crops
Additional guidance and advice
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
Permanent ineligible features may be eligible as part of the option area if registered with a control body.
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 15 July 2022 + show all updates
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Organic evidence is no longer required for BPS
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New payment rate from 1 January 2022.
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OT5 option updated
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The Keeping records section of this page has been updated
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Updated keeping records section for evidence required with claim.
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016.
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First published.