Yorkshire farmers interested in applying for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) schemes in 2013/2014 should put their names forward now.

Strutt & Parker is urging farmers in Yorkshire and the Humber to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the scheme, which is run by Natural England.

Natural England puts together a list of holdings which they consider to be a priority for HLS agreements each year so they can plan for the future. Their objectives include biodiversity, landscape, resource protection, historic environment and education access. For example, holdings with populations of rare arable birds such as lapwing, grey partridge or corn bunting may be considered for an agreement designed to secure nesting and feeding habitats. 

Richard Taylor, associate partner in Strutt & Parker's Northallerton office, said: "The environmental body will already know about holdings with existing schemes coming up for renewal as well as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and are likely to have included them in early versions of the draft. However, there are other holdings with equally important environment features which may not be on the radar and it is well worth bringing them to their attention.

"HLS is a competitive scheme and only those holdings able to deliver tangible environmental benefits will be granted agreements.

"We are looking at HLS agreements with various clients. The ability to make a real environmental difference, be it encouraging rare species or preserving historic buildings, whilst running a productive efficient farm is definitely something of interest and something of which eligible farmers should take advantage."

For more advice and information about the scheme, please contact Strutt & Parker's Northallerton office on 01609 780306.