Management Schemes
Peatlands Management Schemes
Aim:
To secure adequate protection for the internationally important peatland habitats, to build public support for that objective, and to provide a financial incentive for the continued management of peatland in a traditional and sustainable way in sympathy with natural heritage interests.
Natural Heritage Interest Targeted:
Blanket bog, wet heath and peatland breeding birds.
Eligible Areas:
- Peatland SSSIs in Caithness and Sutherland
- Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, Western Isles
- Peatland SSSIs on Skye
Figure 1. Location of areas eligible for Peatlands Management Schemes
Table 1. Summary of Peatland Management Scheme Agreements in force during year to 31 March 2003
| Caithness & Sutherland | Lewis | Skye | |
| Expenditure on agreements during year: | £164,228 |
£106,328 |
Nil |
| Number of agreements in force : | 67 |
72 |
1 |
| Net area under agreement (ha): | 98,626 |
49,337 |
410 |
| Proportion of eligible area under agreement: | 67% |
90% |
22% |
Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Management Scheme:
The Caithness and Sutherland Peatland Management Scheme was launched in 1992. It was reviewed during 2001 and 2002 in the light of the changes to the European Community guidelines on payments for agri-environment measures. The new PMS payments are now calculated to reflect the additional costs incurred by carrying out best practice measures for protection and enhancement of the peatlands The scheme was re-launched at the end of 2002.Payments cover the following aspects:
- Sporting Land Use – deer management and muirburn
- Agricultural Land Use – livestock management and muirburn
- Peat Cutting Supplement
Select here to download details of the scheme.
More information on Peatlands of Caithness & Sutherland and the Peatland Strategy 2005 - 2015
(842 Kb)
Lewis Peatlands Management Scheme:
The Lewis Peatlands Management Scheme was launched in January 2000 as a means of underpinning the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area (SPA) and candidate Special Area for Conservation (cSAC) without SSSI notification. The agreements include general conditions for land and water management which require the entrant to discuss any proposed changes to the management of the site with SNH. The scheme is now closed for new applicants and will be reviewed and relaunched before the first agreements expire on 31 March 2005.
Management options and payments
Applicants sign up to a 5-year Peatland Management Scheme (PMS) agreement which covers acceptable levels and practices for:
- Management of sheep and cattle;
- Muirburn;
- Management of grazings;
- Peat cutting;
- Use of vehicles
General land and water management (Lewis only)
The basic annual payment is calculated according to the following scale, subject to a minimum payment of £200 and a maximum of £4000.| First 50 hectares | £10 per hectare |
| Next 100 hectares | £5 per hectare |
| Next 500 hectares | £1 per hectare |
| And thereafter | £0.25 per hectare |
Landlords receive 50% of the basic payment if involved in active management of land.
Common Grazings Committees receive an additional payment to cover increased administrative costs, (£10 per active grazier).
There is currently no specific provision for capital payments but it is envisaged that payments for peatland restoration works, such as drain blocking, vehicle track restoration and restoration of cut over peatbanks, could be introduced in the future.Skye Peatlands Management Scheme:
The Skye Peatlands Management Scheme was introduced in 1998 and used a similar payment formula to that later used in Lewis . The scheme is currently under review and may be incorporated as part of a wider Cuillins Natural Care scheme.Relationship with Other Schemes
There is a potential risk of double funding of Countryside Premium Scheme or Rural Stewardship Scheme moorland management options. SNH management schemes cannot pay for the same management over the same land as an existing agri-environment scheme agreement but may be able to pay for additional or complementary management activities.Scheme Contacts:
If you would like further information about these schemes please contact:
Caithness & Sutherland Peatland Management Scheme
Peatland Management Scheme Officer
Scottish Natural Heritage
Golspie
Main Street
Golspie
Sutherland
KW10 6TG
Tel. 01408 633602
north.highland@snh .gov.uk
Roddy MacMinn
Natural Care Scheme Officer
Scottish Natural Heritage
Stornoway
32 Francis Street
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2ND
Tel. 01851 705258
Roddy.Macminn@snh.gov.uk
For more general information on Natural Care, please contact: Natural Care Team, Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW. Tel: 01738 444177, Fax: 01738 444180.