CWT12: Wetland grazing supplement
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-10)

What you must do to get paid for this CSHT action and advice on how to do it.

This action is part of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). You must read the CSHT guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht) before you apply.

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£566 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is that you graze wetland habitats appropriately.

The purpose is to:
- maintain suitable vegetation conditions for the plants and other species that live in the wetland habitat
- help maintain local management techniques and traditions at threat of loss
Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on land with any of the following Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) base actions:
- CWT13: Manage and restore fen, reedbed and wetland mosaics
- CWT14: Create fen, reedbed or wetland mosaics
- CWT10: Manage lowland raised bog
Your Natural England adviser will agree with you what other supplemental actions may be needed to meet the intended environmental outcomes. This could include:
- CSP1: Difficult site supplement
- CSP11: Manage scrapes and gutters supplement
- CSP18: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (50-80%)
- CSP19: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (more than 80%)
- CSP2: Rewetting supplement
- CSP3: Bracken control supplement
- CSP9: Support for threatened species
Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this supplemental action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:
- graze at specific times to achieve a suitable vegetation structure
- keep a monthly stocking record
When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including stock records to show grazing activity on parcels.

Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this action, you’ll need:
- Scheduled Monument Consent (https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/planning/consents/smc/) from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
- consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protected-areas-sites-of-special-scientific-interest#get-consent-to-carry-out-operations-on-your-land)
You may need to:
- get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
- get a licence (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wildlife-licences) from Natural England if your management affects a protected species or their habitat
All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

You can also apply for capital items (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/capital-items-guidance-for-applicants-and-agreement-holders) to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.