Written questions

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Commons · Question 117184 · Tabled 2 Mar 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 10 Mar 2026

Question

Asked by Ben Maguire

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

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle, 10 Mar 2026

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...