A Greater flexibility is now available for those wishing to enter the Entry Level (ELS) and Organic Entry Level (OELS) strands of Environmental Stewardship. Rather than restrict farmers to quarterly start dates, the scheme will be rolled out with agreements starting at monthly intervals.

Since the launch of Environmental Stewardship on 3 March, there has been strong interest from farmers and land managers, keen to take part. Around 20,000 application packs have been produced and issued across England so far. To enable as many as possible to get agreements underway at the earliest opportunity, it has been decided to begin new agreements each month. This will mean that those who might just miss the first agreement start date of 1 August will only have to wait until 1 September to get their agreement underway, rather than wait until 1 November. The first payments will be six months after the agreement start dates.

Lord Bach, Sustainable Farming Minister, said:

"Monthly start dates will make life easier for all concerned. This will allow farmers and landowners to apply when they are ready rather than waiting for the next quarterly deadline."