Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS)
Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) has basically the
same design as ELS, but is
open to farmers who manage either only organic land (i.e.
land that is 'fully organic' or 'in conversion' to organic farming) or a mix of
organic and conventional land and who are not receiving aid under the Organic Aid
Scheme or Organic Farming Scheme.
The list of organic management options is largely the same as for ELS, but some
options have been excluded as they are unsuitable for organic systems (e.g. conservation
headlands).
Acceptance to the scheme will be guaranteed providing you
meet all of its requirements,
including that all of the organic land you wish to enter is registered with an Organic
Inspection Body before you make your application and it remains
continuously registered with an Organic Inspection Body for the full duration of
your OELS agreement.
Key Features of OELS
- Similar to ELS but recognises the greater environmental benefit that organic farming systems deliver.
- Payment of £60 per hectare, per year on land registered with an Organic Inspection
Body.
- Farmers with a mix of organic and conventional land
can apply for OELS on their
OELS eligible land and ELS on the remainder at the applicable ELS payment rates
as part of one, whole farm, OELS agreement.
- Five year agreements with payments sent out
every six months.
Links and Documents
DEFRA Organic Entry Level Stewardship overview
OELS handbook (online version)
OELS handbook (PDF)
