Slurry Infrastructure Grant Applications will Open in Autumn 2022 - here's how to apply for this slurry grant for UK farms

Slurry infrastructure grants

As with other themes in the Farming Investment Fund, you can apply through a 2-stage process, starting with an online eligibility checker (opening in the autumn) followed by a full application (over the winter).

This is the first time DEFRA have run national slurry storage grants for many years. So, they expect there to be a high demand. In the first round, if DEFRA get more applications than they are able to fund, they will prioritise applications that have a higher environmental benefit. DEFRA will do this by inviting those applicants with projects near protected sites to submit a full application.

There will be multiple opportunities to apply for a grant. So, if you aren’t successful this year, you are encouraged to apply again in future rounds which we expect to run over the next few years.

How much funding is available for farmers?

The farming investment grants will pay at a rate of 50% towards eligible costs, with a minimum grant of £25,000 (minimum total spend of £50,000) and a maximum grant of £250,000.

Who is eligible or not?

You can apply for a grant if your farming system produces slurry and you farm pigs, beef or dairy.

  • Both land owning and tenant farmers can apply.
  • You cannot apply if you’re a poultry, arable-only farmer, contractor or horticultural grower. You are not eligible for this grant if you already have 6 months of slurry storage that is fit for purpose.

What type of stores and equipment will this grant fund?

The grant is available to help replace, build new or expand existing slurry stores to provide 6 months storage. You need to fit all grant funded stores with an impermeable cover, unless you treat slurry through acidification.

You could get a 50% grant towards the cost of:

  • A range of slurry store types
  • Impermeable covers
  • Extra equipment like pumps, pipes and safety equipment

You can build more than 6 months storage, but the grant will only contribute to 6 months. The RPA will check this at the full application stage. You can replace stores that have reached the end of their design life and may be susceptible to leaks or failure.

Slurry Infrastructure Grant Applications will Open in Autumn 2022

Stage 1: check if you’re eligible using the online checker

The RPA will ask you questions about the store including:

  • Current and planned storage capacity
  • Location
  • Status of planning permission

This process will take about 10 minutes if you have all the project details. If your project is identified as high priority for round 1, the RPA will invite you to submit a full application. 

Stage 2: Make a Full Application

You will need to complete the application form and send it with your supporting documents to the RPA.

You’ll also need to produce a project plan including:

  • Details about the store design and location
  • How you calculated the storage capacity needs
  • Confirmation that the store meets with storing slurry rules and build standard requirements

The RPA and the Environment Agency will check these details to ensure your store meets the rules for storing slurry and grant requirements.

If you submit a full application and it is successful, you’ll get a funding agreement and can begin work on the project. You can claim your grant payment once you complete the work.

As part of your grant funding agreement, you’ll also need to:

  • Maintain 6 months storage capacity for the duration of the agreement
  • Create and use a nutrient management plan

If you require any advice or help applying for farming grants, please call our farm management consultants at Douglas Green on 01666 817278

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