7. In Schedule 2 (rural priorities options), Part I (option, activities and eligibility conditions and rates of payment)—
(a)omit entries for options 3 (nutrient management plan), 4 (soil and water management programme) and 73 (production of a collaborative local development strategy);
(b)in option 6 (manure/slurry storage and treatment)-
(i)in column 2, at paragraph (1)(b)(ii) after “biogas” insert “(including anaerobic digestion)”;
(ii)in column 3, for “40%” substitute “50%”; and
(iii)in column 3, for “50%” substitute “60%”.
(c)in option 24 (mammal and bird control), omit ‘Open’ in column 2 at paragraph (3)(a);
(d)in option 57 (specialist agri environment plan), in column 2, omit paragraph (3);
(e)in option 60 (woodland creation)—
(i)in column 3, for “70%” substitute “80%”; and
(ii)in column 3, for “80%” substitute “90%”;
(f)in option 74 (removal of vegetation/debris from SSSI Sites notified for their geological features)—
(i)in column 2, at paragraph (2), before “SSSI Sites”, insert “or adjacent to”;
(ii)in column 2, at paragraph (2), omit paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert “Sites have been assessed by SNH as being in, or at risk of falling into, unfavourable condition either because of living vegetation or accumulated debris is obscuring the site’s special interest or because root growth may adversely affect the geological interest.”;
(iii)in column 2, for paragraph (3) substitute—
“(3) A beneficiary must—
(a)submit, with an application to the Scottish Ministers, a management plan agreed with SNH detailing-
(i)the current conditions of the special features, including a photographic record;
(ii)an explanation of the actions, methods and timing to be used including an assessment of the positive effect on each special feature on the site; and
(b)on completion of the works, submit a report to the Scottish Ministers which shall include-
(i)a record showing the completion of the agreed outcomes;
(ii)a photographic record showing the condition of the site following completion of the works;
(iii)a record of the time spent removing the vegetation/debris from the site; and
(iv)details of any other agreed costs incurred.”.
(iv)in column 3, insert at the end “Up to £11,232.88.”.
(g)in option 75 (erosion control)—
(i)for column 2 substitute—
“(1) A beneficiary is eligible for payment under this option on, or adjacent to, SSSI and European sites where the qualifying interests are in, or at risk of falling into unfavourable condition due to the levels of burrowing animal activity.
(2) The beneficiary must—
(a)submit, with an application to the Scottish Ministers, a management plan agreed with SNH detailing—
(i)the current condition of the special features, how the condition of these features is being put at risk by burrowing animals and the outcomes the proposal will deliver;
(ii)a photographic record of the current condition of the site and burrows;
(iii)a 10,000 OS scale map showing the area containing active burrows and proposed locations of control devices;
(iv)an estimate of the density and numbers of burrowing animals at the start and end of the programme;
(v)the methodology including an assessment of the positive effect on each of the special features;
(vi)information on the most appropriate timing for the control activity including number of control devices to be deployed;
(vii)proposed collaboration with neighbouring land managers; and
(viii)six figure grid references listing the locations of control effort;
(b)on completion of the works, submit a report to the Scottish Ministers which must include—
(i)a 10,000 scale OS map showing the area that has been controlled and the hectare covered;
(ii)the number of animals trapped or shot and the number of burrows gassed and the date of the control;
(iii)a record showing completion of the agreed outcomes; and
(iv)a photographic record showing the condition of the site following completion;
(c)where control of targeted animals is required—
(i)undertake in a legal and humane manner, live trapping with fen or box traps, gassing with moisture activated compounds and/or shooting and lamping; and
(ii)comply with all relevant General Licences and the BASC Codes of Practice on Shooting, Lamping and Trapping of Pest Mammals and Birds.
(3) A beneficiary may make a maximum of one claim in any one year and a maximum of 5 claims during the period of their contract. Each payment will be paid in arrears.”;
(ii)in column 3, after “Up to 100% of actual costs”, insert, “with a limit of £5,616.44 for undertaking the control programme, net of income from the sale of burrowing animal carcasses. Sale receipts for any such sale of burrowing animals must be submitted with the claim.”;
(h)in option 76 (renewable energy powered pumps for water troughs)—
(i)in column 2, at paragraph (2)—
(aa)for “pump” in both cases substitute “water pumping system”;
(bb)insert at the end “Payment may be made for the power supply, pump, reservoir tank, battery and associated switches and cabling.”;
(ii)in column 2, at paragraph (3), for “single pump” substitute “water pumping system”;
(iii)in column 3, insert at the end “Up to £2,500 for a system supplying individual troughs and up to £7,500 for a multiple trough system.”;
(i)in option 77 (capital works required for features for which SSSI Sites and European sites were notified to help bring them into favourable condition)—
(i)in column 1, for “Capital works required for features for which SSSI Sites and European sites were notified to help bring them into favourable condition” substitute “Capital works required for SSSI and European Site features which enhance the public amenity value of those features”;
(ii)in column 2, for paragraph (2) substitute—
“(2) (a) A beneficiary is eligible for payment under this option on land on SSSI Sites and European site features.
(b)the list of eligible capital items are set out in table B in Schedule 3.
(c)the items contained in the table referred to in paragraph (b)—
(i)may be undertaken only once on each area of land; and
(ii)are subject to the following specifications:—
(aa)where the standard cost capital items rate is to be exceeded, beneficiaries must provide full justification to explain why this is necessary;
(bb)where the standard cost capital items rate is to be exceeded, proposed actions must be accompanied by at least two quotes.”;
(iii)in column 3, insert at the end, “Up to a maximum of £7,000 per hectare or up to £136,986 whichever is the greater”.