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The ESAs Scheme has been running since 1987 and was
introduced to encourage farmers to help safe guard areas
of the countryside where the landscape, wildlife or
historic interest is of national importance. These areas
are designated as ESAs and there are 22 in England (including
the Lake District) covering some 10% of agricultural
land.
The ESA scheme is complimentary to the Stewardship
Scheme. Individual ESAs have one or more tiers of
entry. Higher tiers impose more conditions on farmers
in order to achieve greater environmental benefits.
Successful applicants sign up to a 10-year management
agreement (with a 5 year termination option) and in
return farmers receive an annual payment on each hectare
of land entered in the scheme. The rate of payment is
based upon the tier of entry.
For further information and application details visit
the DEFRA
website
(back)
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