HIGHER LEVEL AND ENTRY LEVEL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME EXPIRY

That this House notes that Higher Level and Entry Level Stewardship schemes due to expire at the end of January 2019 are not able to be renewed, whereas those whose schemes finish after the UK scheduled date to leave the EU will continue to receive funding; recognises that this gap in funding leaves farmers financially vulnerable during this interim period; further recognises that important environmental gains could be lost during this period; and calls on the Government to extend such stewardship schemes by an initial two years up to 2021 or until the replacement provisions are in place after the UK leaves the EU.