Think before you cut
Keith Johnston, Countryside Management Branch, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)
Positive signs of good hedgerow management are evident throughout the countryside. Indications are that hedges have been left uncut according to the requirements of Cross-Compliance, which state that hedge cutting is not permitted between 1 March and 31 August.
The only exception to this requirement is where there is a health and safety issue, for example roadside hedges may be trimmed on a more regular basis.
Whilst 1 September indicates that hedge cutting can resume, take time to stop and think about your hedges as habitats for wildlife. Where possible, it is better to avoid cutting until January or February. This leaves fruit and berries on hedges over the winter months and these provide a valuable food source for a range of farmland birds.
If you are participating in one of DARD's agri-environment schemes such as the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme or the Countryside Management Scheme, you are asked to go one step further by enhancing the range of hedgerow habitats on your farm.
What should you do with your farm hedges to meet the requirements of Cross-Compliance and/or Agri-Environment Schemes? This issue still seems to be causing confusion. The table sets out what you need to do to meet Cross-Compliance requirements for field boundaries. The table also includes additional requirements for participants in DARD's agri-environment schemes.
| Cross-Compliance | Farmers in receipt of the Single Farm Payment must meet these requirements to avoid penalty:Removal of field boundaries is not permitted except by prior written permission from DARD.Hedge cutting / coppicing or laying is not permitted between March 1st and 31st August. |
| Agri-Environment Scheme | Participants in an agri-environment scheme must meet these additional requirements as part of their agreement:Maintain a variety of hedge heights and widths throughout the farm. Do not cut any hedge more than once in two years. Hedges along roads can be faced annually for safety reasons.Allow suitable hedges to grow uncut for five years or longer, trimming sides only as necessary. Existing mature trees must be retained and saplings left to grow into hedgerow trees.All external boundaries (march ditches) must be kept in a stock-proof condition to maximise biosecurity. |