Step-by-step business journeys

Starting farming: complete compliance journey

New farmers: everything you need to register, comply, and access funding - from CPH numbers to environmental schemes. Follow this step-by-step journey from day one.

Becoming a livestock keeper: complete compliance guide

Comprehensive guide to livestock keeping compliance - from getting a CPH number to meeting welfare requirements. Covers cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats.

Becoming a sheep or goat keeper: end-to-end compliance

New to keeping sheep or goats? This journey walks you through the five things every keeper in England must do: register your land, get your flock or herd mark, tag your animals, set up a holding register, and learn the movement rules.

Set up a fishing or aquaculture business

Learning path for new fishing and aquaculture businesses — sea fishing vessel operators, shellfish and finfish farmers, land-based hatcheries and freshwater commercial fishers. Work out which rules apply, put your shore-based safety foundation in place, meet your vessel licensing and safety duties or your aquaculture and freshwater consenting obligations, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Start an agriculture business

Set up and register a farming or agricultural business - from choosing your structure to registering land and getting support

Do I need an environmental permit?

Quick assessment of whether your business activities require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency or local council.

What regulations apply to my farm?

A quick decision-tree navigator that helps you identify which regulations apply to your specific farm based on what you keep, grow, and do. Each answer reveals applicable regulatory bodies and links to the relevant compliance guides.

Farmer compliance checklist

A comprehensive compliance checklist for UK farmers covering livestock, environmental, animal welfare, health and safety, financial, and scheme obligations. Includes frequency of compliance tasks, enforcement bodies, and consequences of non-compliance.

Plan the 2026 farm income and tax transition

Three changes are landing together in 2026: SFI 2026/ELM replacing direct payments, delinked payments phasing out to almost nothing, and the APR/BPR inheritance tax reform. Understand what changes and when, model your income drop, decide on scheme applications, and check your succession exposure.

Understand Environmental Land Management schemes

A learning path through Environmental Land Management schemes - understand SFI, Countryside Stewardship, and Landscape Recovery to choose the right option for your farm

Ecological compliance for development projects

Learn the full lifecycle of ecological obligations when developing land, from protected species surveys and wildlife licensing through to biodiversity net gain and post-construction monitoring.

Farming on SSSI land in Scotland

A learning path for Scottish farmers and land managers with SSSI-designated land - understand your conservation obligations, manage deer and muirburn lawfully, and maintain compliance with NatureScot requirements

Livestock compliance for farmers

Complete guide to identifying, tagging, moving, and keeping records for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer

Water Framework Directive compliance for businesses

Complete compliance pathway for businesses whose activities may affect water body status — from understanding the WFD framework through identifying which licences, permits, or consents you need, to applying, monitoring, and reporting. Covers England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Farm compliance calendar

Month-by-month calendar of key farm compliance deadlines covering SFI scheme declarations, TB testing windows, NVZ closed periods, scheme payments, and tax filing. Bookmark this page for quick reference throughout the year.

Moving livestock: quick compliance check

Pre-movement compliance checklist for cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. Three quick checks: tagging correct, standstill clear, documentation ready.

Do I need permission to fell trees or remove hedgerows?

Quick check covering felling licences, TPOs, conservation areas, and hedgerow regulations. Determine what permissions you need before carrying out tree or hedgerow works.

Livestock movement issues: how to resolve

How to resolve common livestock movement compliance problems including missing or lost tags, late movement reporting, standstill breaches, and missing cattle passports. Covers which body enforces what, severity levels, corrective actions, and preventing future issues.

Failed a farm inspection: what to do next

What to do when you receive a non-compliance notice from a farm inspection. Covers understanding your notice, your rights, taking corrective action, and preventing future failures.

TB breakdown: what to do now

A step-by-step guide for cattle farmers who have just received positive TB test results. Covers immediate actions in the first 48 hours, working with APHA during the breakdown, protecting your compensation, managing your business under restrictions, and the path back to TB-free status.

Diversify your farm business

Explore farm diversification opportunities - farm shops, holiday accommodation, renewable energy, equestrian facilities, event spaces, and rural business units

Obtaining an environmental permit for regulated activities

Determine if you need an environmental permit, navigate the application process, and understand permit conditions for pollution control

Set up a forestry business