Will the Minister state the reason why site of special scientific interest land is not included in the Habitat Wales scheme?
For a management payment to be made on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the owner or manager of the site has to agree to manage the land in a certain way according to an agreed management plan. All management plans require the agreement and consent of Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
The Habitat Wales Scheme is an interim scheme for 2024 bridging the gap between Glastir and the introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme. SSSIs currently undergoing management in an existing Glastir Advanced or Commons contract are eligible for the Habitat Wales Scheme because NRW has made a Regulatory Decision which enables these farmers to continue with the same management activities on their SSSI land as stated in the management options schedule currently within their Glastir Contract.
SSSIs not under a current Glastir contract do not have the necessary management plan and consent and applicants would not be able to secure these from NRW in time for 1 January 2024 contract start date. As a result, this land is not included in the Habitat Wales scheme.