2022 AECS Application Round – Organic Maintenance & Conversion Funding

The 2022 Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) application round is due to open on Monday 24th January and close on Friday 29th April 2022. This is the application window for organic maintenance & conversion funding applications.

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NEW GUIDANCE

SGRPID have advised the new AECS Guidance will be published in January 2022.

Until these are published we are not party to any changes to the AECS organic conversion or maintenance funding requirements. We will endeavour to keep you updated of any changes to the organic funding requirements once published by ScotGov. Nevertheless, it is still recommended you read the latest 2022 funding guidance on the Rural Payments & Services website before preparing/submitting an application.  Ensure you are aware of all the ScotGov stipulations attached to the funding options you plan to include in your application by following the guidance on the Rural Payments portal.

The ScotGov AECS funding rules are separate from the SOPA Organic Standards.  All funding applications & ongoing compliance to ScotGov funding obligations are subject to approval & monitoring by SGRPID, whereas compliance to the organic standards is checked via your SOPA inspections. Given both sets of rules run in parallel, you must meet the organic standards as well as the funding rules for the duration of the five-year funding contract to receive the organic funding payments.

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CHECK YOUR CURRENT SCHEME DATES

Please double check when your current funding scheme ends (if unsure check with your local SGRPID area office) so you know if you need to investigate submitting an application in the 2022 AECS application round or not.

If your current contract expires in 2022, you should apply in 2022. The SGRPID schemes run from January to December with payments made in arrears.  Applying in 2022 means a successful application will result in a contract commencing January 2023 and you will not have a gap in funding.

Likewise, if you are planning to bring additional land into conversion, or you know of a neighbour who is considering converting their business to organic management make them aware to keep an eye out for the finalised 2022 AECS application round guidance.

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SOPA CAN ACT AS YOUR AGENT

Debs & Joanna in Member Services are on standby to assist with organic funding application queries.   We can talk you through the basics of an application if you wish to do it yourself.

If you wish, SOPA can also act as your agent and submit an organic conversion or maintenance funding application on your behalf. There is an additional fee for this work. If this is of interest, please contact SOPA Member Services on 0300 772 9795 or email.

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