This January the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has re-launched a version of Higher-Tier Environmental Agreements for Farmers and Land Managers.  

Initially by invitation only, the RPA’s new scheme is unlike current SFI measures, with applicants needing to complete management plans and environmental assessments before an application can be made. The new process will provide financial contributions towards the application, as well as requiring an RPA land officer to visit each applicant for inspection and deliverability assessment.  

Initial invitations are being issued by the RPA to those who have an existing HLS / Higher Tier CSS agreements that expiring in 2025, or who have obtained a woodland management plan from the Forestry Commission in the last 12 months.  

The Forestry Commission are ahead of the curve compared to the RPA, already having the right people and processes in place to carry applications forward. The scheme is aiming to have the first agreements in place from March 2026, with these likely to be more woodland-based. 

Ultimately, the RPA are aiming to have a year-round agreement window for the new Higher Tier Scheme, and quarterly payments much like SFI, but we will have to wait and see. 

If you have received an invitation for HLS or if you want to start planning to get on the priority list, please do get in touch at info@wilsonfearnall.co.uk.