What the action involves
This action’s aim (applicable to LIG1 and LIG2) is that the grassland produces a sward with:
- flowering grasses and wildflowers from late spring and during the summer months
- a variety of plant heights by autumn, with some covering of flowering grasses and wildflowers left to go to seed and tussocky grass allowed to develop
The purpose of this is to:
- provide nectar and shelter for invertebrates and a food supply for farmland birds
- support an IPM approach if located close to cropped areas
- minimise nutrients being carried in surface water runoff to watercourses
When to do it
You must do your chosen action (LIG1 or LIG2) each year of your 3-year SFI agreement.
How to do it It’s up to you how you complete LIG1 or LIG2, as long as you do it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.
You may find it helpful to read the voluntary guidance on how to manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs, but you do not have to follow it.
What evidence to keep You should keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete the action (LIG1 or LIG2). This will help if it’s not clear that you’ve completed the action (LIG1 or LIG2) in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. You must supply this evidence if we ask for it.
This evidence could include photographs and other documentation to show what you’ve done to complete this action. It could also include field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices. If you choose to take photographs, read the guidance on how to take photographic evidence (annex A). Section 3: Applying for an SFI agreement Find out what to do before you apply for an SFI agreement, when and how to apply and what happens after you’ve applied.
Applying for an SFI agreement
Before you apply for an SFI agreement, you need to make sure that:
- you’ve read and understand the mandatory scheme requirements, which are explained in section 3.1.1 below
- you’re eligible to apply
- your land is eligible, and its registered details are up to date on your digital maps
- your contact details are up to date and your permissions are correctly set for SFI in the Rural Payments service
These are explained in more detail below.
Before you apply, you should read the mandatory scheme requirements carefully to make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to do.
The mandatory scheme requirements are contained in:
- the SFI actions you choose – read the details of the SFI actions (section 2)
- your SFI agreement’s terms and conditions (section 6) – which are further explained in eligible land for
Where you can do it
You can do:
- LIG1 on eligible agricultural land outside SDAs
- LIG2 on eligible agricultural land in the SDAs that’s below the moorland line
The table below sets out what land is eligible for LIG1 and LIG2.
Eligible land type Eligible land use code Compatible land cover Temporary grassland TG01 Arable land Permanent grassland – PG01 Permanent grassland improved and low input
The glossary (annex C) explains what we mean by land types, land use codes and compatible land covers.
The SFI application service will automatically calculate what area may be eligible for LIG1 or LIG2 in each land parcel. This is called the ‘SFI available area’. You must check this area is an eligible land type. Find out how the SFI available area is calculated in the information on land that’s eligible for the SFI actions (section 4.1.2).
You can usually only apply for this LIG1 or LIG2 on the total SFI available area in each land parcel shown in your SFI application. The only exception is when LIG1 or LIG2 are located in the same land parcel as IGL1 (take grassland field corners or blocks out of management).
LIG and LIG2 are static actions. You must do these actions on the same area of eligible land each year of your 3-year SFI agreement. You cannot move the area each year.
