PRECON: Rural Payments and Services
What is this option?
This management option supports rural payments and services under the Scottish Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS).
What do I need to do?
within or immediately adjacent to a designated site where the qualifying interests include ground-nesting birds, or
contains, or is adjacent to, active black grouse lek(s). Predator control can be funded within a 1.5 kilometre radius of leks
Moorland Management
Wader and Wildlife Mown Grassland
Wader Grazed Grassland
you must read and comply with the current General Licence to kill or take certain birds for the conservation of wild birds
where using the General Licence on certain designated sites you must read, understand and abide by certain standing conditions .
you must purchase the agreed number of Larsen traps by the 1 June of the first year of your contract. (Larsen mate and Larsen pod traps are not eligible for payment)
traps must be tagged with the NatureScot operators registration number clearly visible
each spring, you must set and operate the trap(s) as detailed in your predator control plan
Payment
for crow control: £259.60 per trap operated up to a maximum of ten traps per contract
How to apply
Applications are made through the Scottish Government's Rural Payments and Services portal. You must be registered with Rural Payments and Services (RP&S) to apply.
For application guidance and deadlines, visit the AECS scheme page on the Rural Payments and Services website.
Who can help
Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) - for application guidance and scheme administration
NatureScot - for environmental advice and endorsements where required
Farmwalk - for digital farm mapping and environmental compliance support
Contact your local RPID office for specific guidance on this option.
This information is provided by Farmwalk based on published government guidance. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.