Corporate report: Results-Based Agri-environment Payment Scheme (RBAPS) pilot study in England

The EU Directorate General awarded a 3-year grant to Natural England and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) in 2016 to jointly run a pilot study, known as the Results-Based Agri-environment Payment Scheme (RBAPS).

There are 2 other pilot studies funded by the EU in:

• Ireland and Spain
• Romania

Agreement holders get paid by results, not by following set methods. Management actions taken are not assessed. Agreement holders can choose the most suitable method to achieve the agreed end result.

The results of all 3 pilot studies will shape land management scheme design in England and the EU for the future.

RBAPS is being applied to 4 land management options – 2 options each in 2 locations in England. The tables show how RBAPS management options compare to current Environmental Stewardship (ES) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) options.

Study areas

The 2 pilot study areas test grassland and arable management options.

Grassland options – Wensleydale, North Yorkshire

RBAPS option	Species rich hay meadow
ES comparable options	HK6 – maintenance of species rich, semi-natural grassland, HK7 – restoration of species rich, semi-natural grassland
CS comparable options	GS6 – management of species rich grassland, GS7 – restoration towards species rich grassland

RBAPS option	Habitat for breeding waders
ES comparable options	HL7 – maintenance of rough grazing birds, HL8 – restoration of rough grazing for birds
CS comparable option	UP2 – management of rough grazing for birds

Read the grassland factsheet (attached on this page) for progress in Wensleydale.

Arable options – Norfolk and Suffolk

RBAPS option	Winter bird food
ES comparable options	EF2/HF2 – wild bird seed mixture, HF12 – enhanced wild bird seed mixture
CS comparable option	AB9 – winter bird food

RBAPS option	Pollen and nectar
ES comparable option	EF4/HF4 – nectar flower mix
CS comparable option	AB1 – nectar flower mix

Read the arable factsheet (attached on this page) for progress in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Study aims

Natural England and the YDNPA will:

• design and implement the pilot scheme
• develop ways of measuring results for the 4 management options
• monitor control sites
• analyse results

Measuring success

Results will test how:

• RBAPS affects environmental performance
• accurately farmers carry out self-assessment as part of the new approach
• cost effective the approach is
• well farmers and stakeholders respond to the approach

The pilot study will publish 2 newsletters each year providing updates for the lifetime of the scheme. Read issue 1 attached on this page.

Read the National Audit Office summary report on government’s use of payment by results schemes. The report concludes that sharing good practice and gathering strong evidence is vital for the success of these schemes.