eAlert: 19 August 2021
Published 19 August 2021
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2021
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ealert-19-august-2021-landscape-recovery-scheme-pilot/ealert-19-august-2021
1. 19 August 2021
Information on how to take part in the new Landscape Recovery scheme pilot and an opportunity to feedback on Defra’s advice and guidance.
2. Join Defra’s information sessions for the Landscape Recovery scheme pilot
2.1 Defra are inviting farmers and land managers to join online information sessions about the Landscape Recovery scheme pilot.
The sessions will be a chance for you to learn more about the upcoming pilot, ask questions and share your ideas for its development.
How to sign up for a session:
Please read their Landscape Recovery blog post to find out if the scheme is right for you, before you sign up to a session.
The sessions will take place on the following days. To sign up, click the session you would like to attend:
The sessions will be the same, so please attend whichever one is most convenient for you. We will be recording the sessions, so you will be able to catch up later if you’re not able to attend.
If the Landscape Recovery scheme isn’t right for you or your contacts, there are other schemes for which you might be eligible. Read Defra’s scheme summary page to find out more.
3. England Woodland Creation Offer updates
3.1 Updates on untrialled species and electronic signatures for those applying for the England Woodland Creation Offer.
Untrialled species:
England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) funding aims to support species diversification. However, EWCO limits the use of untrialled species to no more than 15% of the species mix of a woodland creation proposal.
This aims to reduce risk of poor performance and/or high levels of mortality of grant aided woodland creation. It also reduces the risk of untrialled species posing a threat to the environment through invasiveness or hybridisation with native species. At the same time this approach allows for the limited use of untrialled species where this is appropriate to the site.
We have been working with colleagues in Forest Research to define untrialled species and expect to be able to share this soon. If you have any queries regarding species eligibility in the meantime please contact the EWCO enquiries mailbox.
Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES):
EWCO now accepts Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) alongside wet signatures as an approved method of signing the Grant Agreement.
QES allows for agreement holders to securely sign documents sent from the Forestry Commission and includes a date and time stamp. Under eIDAS (electronic identification and trust services) regulations, QES hold the same legality as handwritten signatures, are confidential and will further protect applicants from forgery. Wet signatures will still be accepted.
4. Give your feedback to improve Defra’s advice and guidance
4.1 Defra’s Future Framing Advice Team are holding a series of workshops to understand what works well and what could be improved in terms of advice provision to farmers and land managers.
The team is responsible for making sure that people have the advice they need to support them through the agricultural transition and beyond. They will be holding workshops on 23, 24 and 26 August and interviews throughout the next few weeks to gather feedback and start designing the options for the future.
If you are a farmer, forester or grower and would like to get involved in this co-design opportunity, please contact DEFRA-FFCP-Advice@defra.gov.uk or find out more online.