The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS) is urging those upgrading slurry storage to meet new requirements or building irrigation lagoons to apply before the April deadline.
The latest round of funding opened yesterday (Thursday, February 15) and will close on Friday, April 19.
£4 million in funding will be made available through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) for successful applications received before the deadline.
The round includes support for irrigation lagoons, a new measure that NFUS has been calling for given “significant water shortages” seen in some areas in recent years.
The Scottish government has indicated this will be the final year that support for slurry storage will be available.
Under new rules, farms where slurry from cattle is produced are required to have 22 weeks slurry storage capacity by January 1, 2026.
Slurry stores constructed before September 1991 have until 2026 to comply with the new storage requirements, but those constructed after this date must comply by 2024.
Slurry storage
NFUS director of policy Jonnie Hall said: “On supporting slurry storage, this is a step in the right direction.
“There is an increased payment rate of up to £20 per cubic metre (up to 2,000 cubic metres). Previous recipients can apply although first time applicants will be prioritised.
“To improve industry resilience in light of recent significant water shortages in some areas, having irrigation lagoons included for the first time shows that Scottish government has listened to us and accepted the proposals we submitted.
“For those looking to either erect a slurry store or construct an irrigation lagoon, the application window closure on April 19 remains very tight”
Hall said the union recognises that this is set to ensure works can be completed and claims made within the constraints of a financial (scheme) year.
“It’s not ideal, but we urge members to use what’s on offer – not least as the clock is ticking on the four-year phase in of the new slurry storage regulations,” he said.
