A number of Horticultural businesses registered on the NFU Climate Change Levy (CCL) scheme have now completed their third Target Period reporting at the start of 2019. Data submissions have been presented to the Environment Agency and the results have been issued to all operators.

Initial Target Period Three data shows the CCL horticultural sector saved £3.45M by being in the NFU CCL scheme during 2017 and 2018. With the CCL rates and relief increasing, the scheme will become increasingly viable to participants and a forecast shows the CCL savings increasing to £6.74M during 2019 and 2020.

Operators who meet their reduction target will continue to benefit from CCL relief for another two years. On the other hand, operators who miss out on their reduction target will need to make a decision before the 30 June 2019 on whether paying a buyout and continuing on the CCL scheme remains viable. 

On the 01 April 2019, the Government increased CCL rates and the level of discount received as part of the Climate Change Agreement (CCA). Members must ensure a new PP10 & PP11 has been issued to the relevant organisations to maximise relief on energy bills.

The new CCL relief rates as of the 01 April 2019:

• 93% CCL relief on import electricity
• 78% CCL relief on import Natural gas
• 78% CCL relief on LPG, Coal and Coke

We have found that it’s not uncommon for scheme members to forget to claim their CCL relief, so don’t forget to send the forms off whenever you change supplier or whenever the levels of discount change.