Agri-environment schemes

Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme was the first agri-environment scheme to be launched in the UK, in 1987. Since then a large number of other schemes have been developed across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Providing variations on the theme - financial support to farmers for conservation management.

Corncockle at Ranscombe Farm
©Bob Gibbons/Plantlife

Although these schemes have provided great benefits to wildlife across a wide range of habitats, arable plants have had little targeted conservation. Two key practices under previous agri-environment schemes that have had a detrimental impact on arable plants are arable reversion into grassland and grass buffer strips. The popularity of these options has resulted in many hectares of arable plant seed banks being buried under grass ley.

However the new schemes have been developed with arable plant conservation a much greater priority. They have been given more recognition as the foundation for farmland biodiversity providing food and nesting habitat for birds, insects and small mammals. In England, this is reflected in the Higher Level Stewardship targeting statements with most having the conservation of rare arable species as a primary, 5 point target.

This section provides information on the options within the existing schemes that will benefit arable plants.