Regulations to continue to protect English hedgerows will be
brought into law.
This follows overwhelming support for hedgerow protections in
response to a consultation last year, with over 95% of
respondents supporting plans to maintain cutting bans and buffer
strips.
The Rural Payments Agency will work with farmers to ensure they
are supported to comply with regulations, taking a fair and
proportionate approach to enforcement.
English hedgerows will be
protected in law as the government today (4 March) sets out its
plans for domestic hedgerow regulations, following a consultation
last year.
Backed by over 95% of
consultation responses, and providing continuity for farmers and
land managers, the regulations will include a two metre ‘buffer
strip’ from the centre of hedgerows with no cultivation or
application of pesticides or fertilisers, and a hedge cutting ban
between 1 March and 31 August to protect nesting birds.
A fairer, more proportionate
enforcement approach focused on outcomes will see farmers
provided with advice to help them comply with requirements – very
different from the approach seen previously.
The regulations will support
the efforts of many farmers already carrying out vital work to
protect hedgerows, providing important ecological benefits
including wildlife habitats, slowing soil erosion and water
run-off, supporting crop pollinators and absorbing carbon.
This includes over 90,000km of
hedgerows being managed through 16,000 agreements in the
government’s Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming
Incentive schemes, and more than 13,000km of hedgerows created or
restored using Countryside Stewardship grants.
Farming Minister
said:
“Farmers have been protecting,
planting and maintaining our hedgerows for centuries and I want
to thank them for their continued efforts to help wildlife thrive
on their farms alongside food production.
“I am delighted that thousands
of farmers are taking up the support and guidance on offer in our
Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive
schemes.”
Almost 9,000 consultation
responses were received and highlighted clear support from
farmers and environmental groups for hedgerows to be protected in
law.
Alongside the two metre buffer
strips and spring/summer hedge cutting ban, the government will
also introduce a streamlined notification process for farmers
needing an exemption to cut or trim hedges in August if they are
sowing oilseed rape or temporary grass.
Environment Minister
said:
“Hedgerows have long-shaped our
beautiful countryside and provide homes for a huge variety of
birds and wildlife, while delivering clear benefits for water,
soil and the climate.
“Our consultation showed just
how valued our hedgerows are by farmers, the public and
environmental groups alike, and these regulations will mean we
can all reap the benefits they bring for generations to
come”.
The new requirements will be
introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows and will be
regulated by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) who will provide
advice and guidance to help farmers comply with the regulations.
The government will also introduce civil and criminal sanctions
to enable the RPA to take appropriate and proportionate actions
against anyone causing serious or repeated damage.
The government will launch a
consultation and work with farmers and environmental groups to
inform the statutory guidance that will be used to enforce the
regulations.
These regulations will sit
alongside the existing Hedgerows Regulations 1997 which prohibit
the removal of countryside hedgerows, or parts of them, without
first seeking approval from the Local Planning Authority. The
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 meanwhile prohibits the
killing, injuring or taking of wild birds, or taking or damaging
their eggs and nests.
ENDS
Notes to
editor:
- The full government response and summary of responses has
been published on GOV UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protecting-hedgerows-in-england/outcome/summary-of-responses-and-government-response
- In total 96% of consultation responses agreed with the
proposal to maintain a buffer strip and 98% agreed with the
proposal to maintain a cutting ban period. Farmers were firmly
supportive, with 82% agreeing to a buffer strip and 85% to a
cutting ban period.
- 90,000km of hedgerows with one or both sides are being
managed through 16,000 agreements in the government’s Countryside
Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes.
