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Guidance updates

This table lists all updates which have been made to the guidance since the publication of the printed guidance in March 2008.

The most recent version of the guidance will always be the one available on the website. However, if you have printed any pages, you may find this table useful to establish if there have been any updates made since the date of printing.

Page Title

Date of Update

Update Made

Option 23 - Animal Welfare Management ProgrammeSept 2009

PDF version of the guidance (15 pages) has been amended at:

'Annual Monitoring and benchmarking' - benchmarking guidance to be issued in Autumn 2009. Recording of data to begin January 2010.

'Annual Management Plan' - in year one, recommend completion of producer/vet declaration form.

Implementing biosecurity' - consider pre-purchase sampling in absence of a relevant accreditation scheme, and expansion of bullet point on blood sampling for key diseases.

'Reducing mutilations in sheep' - first para explains why this action may not be suitable for sheep held on common ground, also expansion of 'You must' section.

'Preventing lameness' - expanded description of what constitutes 'physical foot inspection'.

'Liver fluke control' - expansion of paragraphs on identifying high risk areas and documenting fields taken out of use.

'Johne's disease control' - first paragraph states this action is not suitable for livestock on common ground unless other owners also taking this activity. Also expansion of paragraphs on CHeCS approved schemes, and calves/colostrom.

'Control of bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD)' - first paragraph states this action is not suitable for livestock on common ground unless other owners also taking this activity. Also expansion of last paragraph on minimum livestock numbers for sampling.

In addition, a number of minor clarifications have been made to the document.

Option 23 - Animal Welfare Management Plan FAQsSept 2009New FAQS added and some existing FAQS updated as a result of amendments to the guidance detailed above - Sept 2009.
Option 23 - Animal Welfare Management Plan FAQSJune 2009At 'Eligibility', new FAQ added on whether all livestock on farm must be included in the option.
Claims and paymentsJune 2009At 'Claims', additional sentence highlighting EC requirement for a full administrative documentation check. Also minor consequential amendment to second paragraph.
Protected speciesJune 2009New page on the need to consider the potential impact of activities on protected species and links to sources of advice.
Option 9 - Wild Bird Seed Mix/Unharvested CropMay 2009At 'Eligibility criteria', the sentence "You can change the location of the plots ......." has been deleted.
Option 23 - Animal Welfare Management Programme FAQsMay 2009New page of FAQs added.
Option 8 - Membership of food quality assurance schemesApril 20093 new quality assurance schemes added for LMO 2009.
Option 23 - Animal Welfare Management ProgrammeApril 2009New option for LMO 2009.
Option 3 - Nutrient Management PlanMar 2009At 'What you must do', the reference to set-aside has been deleted.
Option 9 - Wild Bird Seed Mix/Unharvested CropMar 2009At 'Eligibility criteria', the sentence on set-aside has been deleted.
Option 21 - Active management to improve the condition of sites of archaeological or historic interestMar 2009

1. Minor textual amendments.

2. Expansion of bullet points on Bracken Control and control of Gorse, rhododendron etc.
Option 22 - Active management to improve the condition of vernacular rural buildingsMar 2009

1. At 'What this is about' and 'What you must do', clarification of the type of management works and repairs which can be funded under this option.

2. Addition of a number of web links to Historic Scotland leaflets and guidance.
Claims and paymentsMar 2009

1. Minor textual corrections.

2. At 'Supporting Information for Claim', we highlight that claimants no longer need to complete a claim form for Option 8 - Membership of food quality assurance schemes. We will check with the eligible organisations listed in your application form to confirm membership.

Breaches and penalties

Jan 2009

Detailed guidance now available.

Common grazings

Jan 2009

Addition of proviso that LMO applications from common grazing committees must have the consent of the majority of their members.

Financial limits

Jan 2009

New section explaining total funding available to applicants for the use of advisory services under Land Managers Options and Rural Priorities.

Record keepingJan 2009Corrects the period records must be retained, from 4 to 6 years.

Minimum Level of Grazing

Jan 2009

Lists options that the minimum stocking density applies to.

Option compatibilities

Jan 2009

Detailed guidance now available.

Option 2 - Business audit

Jan 2009

Deletion of reference to the Small Business Advice Service.

Option 3 - Nutrient Management Plan

Jan 2009

At 'Eligibility criteria', we have clarified that where part of a farm is in an NVZ area and part is outside, an application under this option can be made for the land outwith the NVZ.

Option 4 - Modernisation through electronic data management for Agriculture

Jan 2009

1. Further clarification provided on equipment that can be purchased.

2. Confirms that electronic ear tags and steering systems are not eligible.

Option 8 - Membership of food quality assurance schemes

Jan 2009

Applicant no longer required to submit proof of membership/payment. We will check with eligible organisations direct.

Option 9 - Wild Bird Seed Mix/Unharvested Crop

Jan 2009

Confirms that you can change the location of the plots during your contract but the overall area applied for must be maintained for the full five years.

Option 14 - Management of Grass Margins and Beetlebanks in Arable Fields

Jan 2009

At 'What you must do', we have highlighted that the diffuse pollution and environmental audits must be carried out by the start of the 5-year agreement.

Option 16 - Management of Conservation Headlands

Jan 2009

At, 'What you must do', we have clarified that the conservation headland must go all the way around the field.

Option 18 - Small-scale woodland creation

Jan 2009

1. Clarification of the minimum gap required between woodland plots to qualify as separate woodland.

2. Addition of table listing acceptable native species for this option.

Option 20 - Improving access

Jan 2009

1. Requirement to seek the written agreement of the local access officer for installation of stiles, highlighted in the 'What you must do' section.

2. At 'Technical specifications', section 4, text revised to confirm that fingerposts must always specify a destination.

Option 21 - Active management to improve the condition of sites of archaeological or historic interest

Jan 2009

1. Text on maintenance of a photographic record moved from 'Inspections/verification' to 'What you must do'.

2. Skilled labour rate of £7.82 specified in 'What costs could be supported'.

Option 22 - Active management to improve the condition of vernacular rural buildings

Jan 2009

1. Text on maintenance of a photographic record moved from 'Inspections/verification' to 'What you must do'.

2. Skilled labour rate of £7.82 specified in 'What costs could be supported'.

3. Correction to 'Inspections/verification' to confirm that inspector will check the work carried out is the same as detailed on the claim form.

Page updated: Thursday, September 10, 2009