APPLICATIONS for Scotland's Agri-Environment Climate Scheme 2019 are now open, running for 12 weeks from January 16 to April 12 – although collaborative projects involving five or more businesses have until with May 31 to apply.

The AECS is intended to protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage and help agricultural businesses adapt to the effects of climate change. Since 2015, it has committed more than £150million to around 2500 applicants.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham commented: “The AECS supports farmers, crofters and land managers to achieve our aims to reduce greenhouse emissions from farming. It also promotes a greener and more prosperous environment, through improving water quality, managing flood risk, and protecting habitats.

“As part of our wider work to simplify current CAP schemes, a review is now underway of the processes for AECS – from claim to payment ­– to identify where we can streamline and simplify to benefit customers.

“I would encourage anyone thinking of making an application to explore how they can benefit from AECS and access the environmental and economic opportunities of low-carbon farming,” urged Ms Cunningham.

Scottish Natural Heritage chief executive, Francesca Osowska, added: “We're looking forward to receiving applications for this fantastic scheme again in 2019, which will help farmers and crofters increase wildlife, manage flood risk and combat climate change. Farmers have found many innovative ways to help the environment through AECS, such as restoring wetlands, creating grasslands and hedges where wildlife can thrive, and much more."

Applications for slurry storage can be made during the main AECS window, however, the deadline for standalone slurry store applications is June 26.