Q) Why is a continuous assessment process being introduced for SSSI / Natura projects up to £50,000?
A) By allowing readier access to this funding without the need to wait for an RPAC, we hope to encourage more land managers to apply for support to help improve the condition of nature sites on their land. This in turn will speed up Scotland's progress towards achieving the target of having 95 per cent of our protected areas in favourable condition.
Q) Why is the Management of Hedgerows option being temporarily suspended?
A) Some agri-environment options have been more popular than others and are already impacting positively on the environment. We have already contributed over £32 million to the management or creation of 2,655 km of hedgerows to benefit biodiversity. We have decided to temporarily suspend the Management of Hedgerows option in the next funding round in order to focus spend towards other agri-environment projects, where support is critical. Environmental stakeholders have been fully involved in this decision.