A new raft of small capital grants available for farmers, foresters, horticultural businesses and contractors.
Graeme Biffen of Stags, Exeter explains: ‘the new Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) is being delivered through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), and has been designed to help make businesses more profitable and resilient, as well as reduce the impact that farming can have on the environment.’
A total of £20m of capital grants will be available under the scheme until December 2013, with a maximum grant per business of £25,000, at a grant rate of up to 40% in non-upland areas and up to 50% in upland areas.
The FFIS can be used to fund items under the following key areas:
- Nutrient Management – improving the use of farm manures, e.g. slurry injectors.
- Energy Efficiency – helping reduce or recover energy on the farm, e.g. heat exchangers.
- Water Resource Management – systems to reduce reliance on mains water, e.g. rainwater harvesting equipment.
- Animal Health and Welfare – projects bringing improvements in this area, e.g. foot trimming crushes.
- Forestry – projects improving processing and adding value, e.g. timber processors and tractor mounted grabs.
Mark Neason of Stags, Wellington comments, ‘not all applications will be accepted, and therefore the Farm Resource Efficiency review (R4F) scheme available for free through Rural Focus (formerly Business Link) can provide invaluable assistance for those wishing to apply for any of the eligible resource saving measures, as well as identifying ways that businesses can reduce energy and water usage.’
Graeme Biffen adds, ‘the scheme will operate every 4 months, and the first round of applications closes on 17 January 2012, so those businesses considering applying in this round should do so as a matter of urgency.’
If you would like any further details or advice on the FFIS or R4F then please contact Stags Rural Property Consultancy on 01392 439046 (for Devon, Somerset or Dorset) or 01872 279911 (for Cornwall), where you will be transferred to the surveyor in your area.