Rural Payments Agency

The RPA funds environmental and animal health work across England. Its Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier programme pays farmers and land managers to protect, restore, or improve the environment on their land, covering woodland, farmland, nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), commons, and other habitats. The Animal Health and Welfare reviews scheme covers veterinary visits for animal health and welfare assessments. The Poultry Biosecurity Reviews programme pays for a vet to carry out a biosecurity review of poultry farms. All funding is for work in England only.

Farmers, land managers, and rural businesses can apply for RPA funding. Organisations that manage land or keep livestock, including registered charities, community interest companies, and social enterprises, are eligible. The RPA does not set income thresholds, and there is no faith restriction. Applicants must be based in England and involved in land-based environmental or animal health activities.

The RPA does not fund general charitable activities, community projects, or organisations that do not manage land or keep livestock. It does not support work outside England or activities unrelated to environmental improvement, animal health, or biosecurity.

The RPA funds through specific programmes that support environmental improvements, animal health, and biosecurity reviews. It welcomes unsolicited applications and operates rolling programmes with no set closing dates for some schemes. Funding is provided for defined activities rather than core costs, and the agency works directly with farmers and land managers on a project basis.