What the action involves
The aim of this supplemental action is to introduce or reintroduce shepherding where significant changes are needed to land practices.
The purpose of this is to:
- improve the quality of vegetation
- reduce overgrazing in some areas and increase grazing in others
- improve the habitats for birds, mammals and insects
- protect and improve visibility of historic and archaeological features
- create more suitable conditions for threatened species to thrive
What you must do
Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.
To get paid for this supplemental action, you must:
- keep records of shepherding or herding activities on the agreed area
- only use mineral licks or supplementary feed in agreed locations
When to do it
You must do this action each year of its duration.
Evidence to keep
You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.
You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:
- a record of shepherding activity
- photographs of the management undertaken
Eligible land
Same as base action
Available area
Same or less than the base action.
Rotational or static
Same as base action.
Consents and permissions
To apply for this action, you’ll need:
- consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
You may need to:
- get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
- get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).
If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.
Capital grants that support it
You can apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.
