Grants of up to £30,000 are available through the Severn Trent Environmental Protection
Scheme (STEPS), which is due to close on 31st January 2023. This provides match-funding to
help farmers and landowners with projects to improve water quality and protect the
environment in priority catchment areas.
Farmers are being urged to take this opportunity to receive financial and technical support
to also benefit their farm infrastructure and productivity.
Matched funding
This year, Severn Trent has doubled the match-funding available from £5,000 up to £10,000
for a broad range of land management and infrastructure improvements. The three key
objectives of the scheme are for the prevention of pesticides, nitrates and cryptosporidium
from entering watercourses.
The 2022 STEPS offering provides additional financial support to producers who want to
enhance productivity while improving water quality. The key changes for the 2022 scheme
include:
Pesticide catchments
- 50% funding up to £20,000 available for sprayer washdown areas, on the basis they are built in less than six months, with an additional 25% funding available, up to £30,000. This option is for new applicants only, however farmers already with a sprayer washdown area, can apply for free rainwater harvesting kit.
Nitrate catchments
- Arable margins and cover crop payments are now the same as Countryside Stewardship.
- 50% funding, up to £10,000, for innovation options such as direct drilling cover crops now available.
Cryptosporidium catchments
- Watercourse fencing is now being offered at 75% of the cost, and full payment is on offer for ‘complementary items’ providing new access to water e.g. drinking troughs.
How to apply for STEPS:
Make sure your application is in by 31st January 2023, bearing in mind that you will have 12 months to complete the work after you have been accepted.
Check you’re in a priority catchment HERE :
To increase your chances of a successful application, seek advice from your local Severn Trent agricultural adviser on what options would best suit your farm and make the greatest positive impact on the environment.
Fill out your application online HERE :
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