The aim of Organic Entry Level Stewardship is to encourage organic farmers to deliver simple environmental management schemes on their farms.
Similar to Entry Level Stewardship, OELS recognises the environmental benefits of organic systems. To enter land into the scheme, it must be farmed organically and registered with an approved Organic Inspection Body.
To be accepted onto the scheme farmers must also achieve a target of 60 points per hectare of organic land by agreeing to undertake a number of environmental management schemes.
The list of schemes includes ditch management (24 points/100m), maintenance of woodland fences (4 points/100m) and implementing soil management plans (3 points/ha).
Farmers who enter OELS receive £60/ha per year for five years. Aid is also available as an OELS payment top-up for farmers who wish to convert conventionally farmed improved land and established top-fruit orchards.
For more information about entering the Organic Entry Level Scheme, visit Defra’s OELS handbook at www.defra.gov.uk.
(As reported by the Farmers Weekly Interactive website on 27/04/2007) |
