Field Boundary Restoration - check your agreement!

If you are one of the 5,000 farmers who signed up to carrying out field boundary restoration as part of your agri-environment scheme, check the paperwork now before the end of the hedging season to ensure you have completed the correct length.

The length of work to be carried out is normally agreed at the outset of your participation in the Countryside Management or Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme. In most cases, the total length agreed is spread over a five-year period. For example, a total of 350 metres would mean an annual completion of 70 metres and is reflected in each year’s payment. Therefore, you cannot omit carrying out this work in the early years and try to ‘catch up’ later.

To check your annual commitment, look at your management map and commitments schedule – the length should be stated on both. Remember, if you are completing an annual claim form, you must clearly indicate if you did not complete the annual length of field boundary restoration agreed.

DARD Countryside Management staff will be happy to help you with any queries you may have on this or any aspect of your agri-environment agreement.