Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, what the start date of the new Higher Tier scheme will be; and how farmers can apply.

Defra will open the rolling application window for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) later in the year. Currently, CSHT is by invitation only following contact by Natural England or the Forestry Commission. This ensures that bespoke pre-application advice is provided to support those invited. We have published information that sets out what you can do now to prepare to apply for CSHT on GOV.UK. (Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: preview guidance - GOV.UK).