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Grazing options - Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP)

Rural priority options

Management of Moorland Grazing external site - (relates to management of livestock in the wider countryside). The aim of this Option is to support changes in grazing management to benefit a wide range of landscapes, habitats and species found on moorland.

Moorland Grazings on Uplands and Peatlands external site   - (relates to management relating to livestock on or affecting designated sites). This will maintain and enhance a range of upland and peatland habitats by promoting good soil management. You can only enter land within on or adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation or Special Protection Area designated for its upland or peatland interests (vegetation, birds or plants).

Wildlife Management on Upland and Peatland Sites external site - (relates to wildlife management on upland sites - designated sites are given priority). The Option aims to enhance the condition of upland and peatland habitats by promoting good soil management. It is available to land managers undertaking wildlife management on uplands and peatlands (managing populations of wild deer and Red Grouse).

Moorland - Stock Disposal external site   - The aim of this Option is to regenerate suppressed heather or other moorland vegetation of conservation interest by reducing the numbers of sheep grazing.

Away-Wintering of Sheep external site  - This Option provides support for sheep to be removed from upland sites in winter to another farm.

Off-Wintering of Sheep external site  - This Option provides support for sheep to be removed from upland sites in winter to in-bye land on the same holding.

Habitat Grazing Management external site - (additional shepherding). This Option will improve the condition of moorland and upland vegetation and associated wildlife on Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Natura sites by spreading sheep grazing more evenly across the site. This Option is not available to address an overgrazing problem caused by feeding locations or inappropriate stock numbers.

Scrub and Tall Herb Communities external site   - This Option aims to enhance and extend areas of native scrub vegetation and tall herb communities and secure the survival of associated flora and fauna. This will normally involve light grazing in the summer, and none in the winter.

Sustainable Management of Forests external site - (woodland management including deer and livestock management). This Option supports the sustainable management of forests and woodlands of high environmental value. Including: Areas of native woodland under active management to maintain or bring them towards a favourable condition Areas of native woodland where domestic livestock needs to be removed to bring them towards a favourable condition

Rural Priorities capital payments

Woodland Improvement Grant external site - (woodlands - including support for reducing deer impacts). Operations that will improve the ecological and environmental value of woodlands. Including reducing deer impact in woodlands.

Open range deer management to enhance the natural heritage external site   - (open range deer reductions on designated sites). This capital item provides support for changes in open range deer management which will enhance the condition of the special features on designated sites. It is available over deer ranges containing designated sites that are considered to be at risk from damage by deer and is linked to the moorland grazing options.

Capital works on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Natura features external site   - This item supports action on or adjacent to SSSIs and Natura sites aimed at bringing the special features of interest into favourable condition. Proposals should be checked against the list of eligible costs.

Other capital items external site   - such as deer, rabbit or stock fencing or removal.

Planning measures under Rural Priorities

Environment Outcome Plan external site   - Part of the RP application process requires the production of an Outcome Plan to identify how and why the Options (activities) set out in the proposal will deliver the selected regional priorities. In submitting a Statement of Intent you will be advised as to whether a basic plan or one requiring specialist input will be required.

Other SRDP sources for collaborative projects

LEADER external site - (projects with community benefit)

Purpose - The aim of LEADER is to increase the capacity of local rural community and business networks to build knowledge and skills, innovate and co-operate. Projects should be community driven and have a wide community benefit.