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Farmers
and contractors are being encouraged by the Farm Wildlife Advisory
Group - FWAG - to become fully aware of the new rules governing
hedgerow management. Introduced with the single farm payment,
the regulations require certain standards to be met. Failure to
observe the new rules on hedgerow management - like other areas
of cross-compliance - could see offending producers penalised
and single farm payments suspended.
Under cross-compliance all farms must observe:
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A
closed season for hedgerow cutting during the bird nesting
season, between 1 March and 31 July (1 March and 31 August
in Wales).
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Cutting
during the nesting season is only allowed where material is
overhanging public roads, footpaths, bridleways or at access
points such as gateways where safety is an issue.
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Hedges
should be reshaped over a period of time towards a taller
A-shape, rather than square-shaped examples.
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Hedgerow
saplings are to be left periodically to grow into trees where
possible to enhance visual and wildlife value.
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1.5-2m
ground protection zone from centre of hedge should be cut
annually, but not fertilised, sprayed or cultivated.
Where
farms opt to undertake Entry Level Stewardship to increase payments,
additional points must be observed:
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Maintain
hedges to a minimum of 1.5m height, although taller may be
preferable.
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Hedge
sides should be cut only once every alternate year and tops
left to encourage height.
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Avoid
cutting all hedges in the same year; decide which will be
cut in any given year and make a physical map/plan as a record.
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Where
hedgebanks exist (mainly in the south west), these should
be managed in accordance with hedgerow rules.
Level EB3 Enhanced conservation management
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The
closed season for hedgerow cutting during the bird nesting
season is extended from 28 February to 1 September.
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Maintain
hedges to a minimum height of 2m or what is traditional to
the local area and leave some hedgerow saplings to mature.
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Hedge
sides should be cut only once every third year and, therefore,
no more than one-third of total hedging to be cut in any given
year.
Other
issues will arise
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The
need for contractors to ensure clients provide a plan of hedgerows
detailing which are to be cut in any given year.
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The
need to clear away hedgerow cuttings - particularly from public
roads and pathways. These can be burnt on the owner's land,
but contractors should ensure they have an agreement with
their client as to whose responsibility this becomes.
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The
need for the use of disc cutters rather than flail cutters,
to cope with thicker, woodier stems, especially on farms opting
for the longer, enhanced conservation options. This in turn
can leave large amounts of whole hedgerow branches to be collected
and disposed of, which will add to the workload.
ALL
INFORMATION INCLUDED ON THESE PAGES IS FOR GUIDANCE ONLY & DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE RECOMMENDATION FROM AGRIVICE LTD
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