One-Year Extension for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier Agreements
- Ana Reynolds
- Oct 15, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Funding cliff-edge avoided for farmers amid policy transition
The UK government has confirmed a one-year rollover for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier (CSMT) agreements due to expire at the end of this year. This extension applies to over 5,000 farming businesses across England, is worth up to £70 million, and aims to avoid a funding gap as agri-environment schemes are under review.
Announced extension ensures that environmental actions and nature friendly farming practices already underway, such as hedgerow management, species-rich grassland upkeep, supplementary winter bird feeding and wildflower margins, continue to be supported in the short term. Long-term commitment and certainty around England's wider agri-environment scheme transition is still much needed.
Letters will follow from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to those eligible for the extension, detailing key deadlines and steps to proceed.
This is a sensible, short-term fix that lets farmers focus on delivery and provides much-needed reassurance. However, we need far greater clarity on future schemes, including the rollout of the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), and budget transparency, to enable better longer-term planning.
What farmers with expiring agreements should do now
Watch for the RPA letter - eligible CSMT agreement holders will receive correspondence by email or post. If you’re offered an extension and want to accept it, you must reply to the Rural Payments Agency by 27 November 2025 to let them know.
Review your agreement terms - make sure you understand any conditions and compliance requirements during the rollover year. For example:
If you have a SSSI on your land and you extend your agreement, you need to contact Natural England to get consent (even if you have previously)
If your agreement includes arable options which you may not continue in 2026, you can still accept your extension offer. If you do wish to continue arable options, e.g. AB15 Legume Fallow, you may need to re-establish the area in spring 2026.
Plan ahead and beyond 2026 - use the extension period strategically and consider what actions or enhancements align with upcoming changes, your rotations and overall farm profitability - we are here to help guide you through this thought process
Monitor guidance updates - official guidance is on the Defra website, including a written statement from the Secretary of State on Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements, and will be available via RPA communications
📞 Call us on 01480 890686 to talk through your options and planning ahead
In other news this week...
Over 8,800 Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) applicants have been offered grant funding, worth just over £68.4 million in total. Claim deadline is midday on 31 March 2026. More information is available on the Defra FETF 2025 blog here.
