Agri-environment Schemes & archaeology

Archaeological sites have been an integral part of these schemes since they were first introduced in 1987. There are two schemes currently operating in Scotland, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and the Rural Stewardship Scheme. Both have standard protection of archaeological sites for all participants, known as General Environmental Conditions (GECs).

Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs)

Covering c19% of Scotland, ESAs were first introduced c1987 and having had uncontested entry have had high levels of take-up (up to 90% in some areas). Agreements are for five years with an optional extension for a further five years, subject to agreement on further management options. The scheme closed in 2000 and a number of entrants will be finishing their agreements from 2003. Existing participants may include archaeological management as one of their management options both in their original plan and in their five year review. Entry will decline until 2010, although methods of incorporating current ESA agreements into the competitive RSS are currently being discussed.

Countryside Premium Scheme (CPS)

A national scheme covering those parts of the country not covered by ESA schemes, the CPS opened in 1997 and was closed to new entrants in 2000. As with ESAs, management agreements were for 5 years with extension possible for a further 5 years. Due to shortage of funds entry was competitive, with applications being selected on the basis of locally defined conservation priorities.

Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS)

Introduced in 2001, this scheme covers the whole country. Entry has been competitive with applicants being selected by a ranking system. Although biodiversity driven, the management of archaeological sites does score ranking points, leading to most applications selecting archaeological sites for management. This is primarily to boost rankings and there is no method of prioritising different archaeological sites for management.

The following factsheets relating to the selection and management of sites under the RSS are available to download:

• Archaeological Procedures for the RSS
  includes a flowchart and accompanying notes
• RSS Advice Notes
• RSS Specification for archaeological information from SMRs
  standards of information land managers can expect from Site & Monument Record providers
• Identifying and Managing Archaeological Cropmark Sites under the RSS
  a guide to understanding what cropmarks are and why they should be protected
• RSS SMR Form
  e-mail form for land managers and others to supply information on new sites to Sites & Monument Record centres
• The Rural Stewardship Scheme Handbook
• RSS Application Forms