By Niall Campbell,

SAC Consulting Oban

SINCE the recent launch of the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) helpline its new crofter and small farmer subscriptions, a common question from grass roots farming and crofting has been: Is there any funding available for fencing field boundaries?

Fencing can be required for various reasons from improving labour efficiency and ease of gathering stock, to keeping livestock out of a burn to reduce risk of diffuse pollution for cross compliance, to fencing off sensitive habitats for the benefit of conservation.

The answer to the question is that in some circumstance funding may be available, but in others the farmer or crofter would need to fund that investment themselves.

So what funding is currently available for fencing?

Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS)

Croft owners, tenants or sub-tenants are all eligible for this scheme.

Funding for fencing is available for a project which will meet a scheme objective such as reducing production costs, improve quality, improve natural environment or improve welfare conditions. Rates are 40% of eligible costs in non-LFA and 60% in LFA, with enhanced rates for young farmers, or groups.

Funding is not available where the fencing is to solely replace existing fencing which will serve the same purpose as the original.

Funding of up to £25,000 for individuals is available over two years, with a higher rate for groups. Prior approval is required and quotes will need to be submitted to confirm realistic costs.

New Entrants Capital Grant Scheme

Similar rules and rates to the CAGS, but only open to those who have been head of an agricultural business for less than five years.

Small Farms Grant Scheme

Similar rules and rates to CAGS, but only open to those farming less than 30 ha.

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS)

AECS is aimed at enhancing environmental management, targeted at designated sites and priority species and habitats.

There are a large number of habitat management options and most of these provide a capital grant for fencing, if the fence is required to control stock to benefit the habitat as part of the grazing plan.

Rates for stock fencing are generally based on a standard cost of £5.5/m, with no quotes required. Deer fencing attracts a higher rate.

Forestry Grant Scheme

This scheme covers a wide range of woodland activities including woodland creation and woodland improvement.

Fencing grants are generally standard cost based, but the rate varies between options. Both stock fencing and deer fencing are available.

So there is still funding available for fencing. It is, however, focussed on specific sectors, crofters, small farmers and new entrants, or to benefit the environment through conservation and woodland management. Some of these schemes are also competitive and budgets are limited.

* Full details of all these schemes can be found online at https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/ or by contacting the FAS helpline on 0300 323 0161 or e-mail: advice@fas.scot