Hedgerow Protection Regulations to Enhance Wildlife Conservation
As of March 4th, the government has announced its commitment to legally protect English hedgerows, following a consultation conducted last year that gathered significant public support.
With over 95% of consultation participants endorsing the initiative, the new regulations aim to provide stability for farmers and land managers. Key provisions will include establishing a two-metre ‘buffer strip’ from the center of hedgerows, where cultivation and the use of pesticides or fertilizers will be prohibited. Additionally, there will be a ban on hedge trimming from March 1 to August 31 to safeguard nesting birds.
The enforcement of these regulations will adopt a more reasonable and results-oriented approach, offering farmers guidance for compliance, marking a shift from previous methodologies.
The regulations are designed to bolster the efforts of farmers engaged in the essential task of hedgerow conservation. These natural barriers offer crucial ecological advantages, such as creating habitats for wildlife, mitigating soil erosion and water run-off, supporting pollinators crucial for crops, and sequestering carbon.
Currently, more than 90,000km of hedgerows are being managed through 16,000 agreements under the government’s Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive programs, with around 13,000km of hedgerows either created or restored through Countryside Stewardship grants.
Mark Spencer, Farming Minister, expressed:
Farmers have been tending to our hedgerows for generations, and I want to express my gratitude for their ongoing commitment to supporting biodiversity on their lands while also producing food.
I am thrilled to see that thousands of farmers are utilizing the support and guidance available through our Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive programs.
The consultation yielded nearly 9,000 responses, reflecting strong consensus among farmers and environmental advocates regarding the need for legal protections for hedgerows.
In addition to the buffer strips and the hedge cutting ban, the government will implement a streamlined notification system for farmers who require exemptions for trimming hedges in August for oilseed rape or temporary grass sowing.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow stated:
Hedgerows have significantly influenced the character of our countryside, providing habitat for diverse wildlife while also delivering essential benefits for water, soil, and climate health.
Our consultation revealed the immense value that farmers, the public, and environmental organizations place on hedgerows, and these regulations will ensure that we all enjoy their benefits for years to come.
The new regulatory framework will be implemented as soon as Parliament permits, managed by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), which will assist farmers in understanding and meeting the new requirements. Furthermore, civil and criminal penalties will be introduced, allowing the RPA to take appropriate action against significant or repeated offenses.
The government plans to consult and collaborate with farmers and environmental groups to inform the statutory guidelines that will guide the implementation of the regulations.
These new rules will complement the existing Hedgerows Regulations 1997, which require approval from the Local Planning Authority before the removal of countryside hedgerows or portions thereof. Additionally, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibits harming, killing, or disrupting wild birds or damaging their nests and eggs.
The comprehensive government response and summary of the consultation has been made available online.
Elena Rossi is a graduate of the University of Hohenheim in Germany, where she earned her degree in Agricultural Economics. Her coursework centered on farm management, agricultural policy, and rural development. Elena is dedicated to enhancing the economic viability of small farms and works as a policy analyst, advising on agricultural economics and food security issues in Europe.