Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 117184

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Tabled: 2 March 2026
Answered: 10 March 2026

Question

Ben Maguire

Liberal DemocratNorth Cornwall

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to confirm the date from which farmers currently in legacy Higher Level Stewardship agreements will be able to exit those agreements and enter Countryside Ste

Answer

Dame Angela Eagle
Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) customers can submit a request to end their existing agreement at any time during the calendar year, but they may need to repay any money received. Defra will work with customers whose HLS agreements will expire over the nex...

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