Notice board

Slurry Storage Option

1. You are now eligible to apply even if you have previously received funding for slurry storage under the Rural Priorities from the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme.
2. You are not eligible to apply if the area is in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.
3. Work must be completed and claimed by 31 March 2025. There is no ability to defer the work to a future financial year.
4. Slurry storage projects that will not be completed by the 31 March 2025 but have been substantially started will be able to submit interim claims where certain conditions are met. Full details of this are available in the accompanying scheme guidance[1].
5. The payment rate per m³ has been increased to £20/m³. The grant limit for slurry storage has been increased to £40K; this limit does not include ancillary equipment
6. A further uplift of up to 10% on the awarded costs will be available to successful Islands applicants.
7. In many situations planning permission is not required for the erection/creation of a slurry storage facility. They can be carried out under permitted development provisions and prior notification to the relevant planning authority.
8. Applicants should consult the scheme guidance for further details on planning permission requirements and take professional advice as appropriate. A building warrant will always be required.
9. Applicants must use the provided slurry storage calculator in preparation of their manure and slurry management plan, this is to ensure uniformity of information provided and aid consistency of appraisal.
10. The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 transition period concludes on 1 January 2026. From that date all businesses that produce slurry by housed livestock must have sufficient slurry storage capacity to store the total quantity of slurry likely to be produced in 26 weeks by housed pigs or 22 weeks by housed cattle.
11. Although the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 states the minimum storage capacity for cattle is 22 weeks, AECS requires applicants to provide 26 weeks storage for cattle slurry to ensure resilience against increasing rainfall.
12. Due to the length of time required from application to completed store, it will not be feasible to offer the slurry storage option under AECS after the 2024 round to meet the 1 January 2026 end of transition date. This means this is the last year slurry storage funding will be an option through AECS.