Campaign reply - Thank you for being a Hedgerow Hero

Thank you for contacting me about hedgerows.

Hedgerows are one of the most important ecological building blocks in our farmed landscape. They maintain the distinctive character of our countryside and provide crucial habitats and food for wildlife. Hedgerows can store carbon, improve local air quality and benefit the rural economy by boosting job creation for hedgerow planting and management in local communities.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants to reward the work that farmers do to manage hedgerows on their holdings sustainably. The primary tools to deliver environmentally beneficial hedgerow management and hedgerow creation are the Environmental Stewardship and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes. These schemes fund hedgerow management, with CS funding restoration and laying to deliver recognised benefits for wildlife, landscape, and the historic environment. Hedgerow management is one of the most popular options within CS, with several options available for planting, managing and restoring hedgerows.

Ministers continue to offer grants for hedgerows and boundaries in CS. In February 2022, the Countryside Stewardship scheme opened for applications for Higher Tier, Mid Tier and Wildlife Offer agreements starting on 1 January 2023, and standalone Capital Grants agreements starting throughout 2022.

Further, through the UK’s new agricultural schemes, the Government will be able to reach more farmers and landowners. Defra aims for at least 70 per cent of farms to participate in the Government’s new schemes. The first of the agricultural schemes, the Sustainable Farming Incentive, will pay for a variety of actions that all farmers can do to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way. Part of this scheme is the hedgerow standard, under which farmers will be paid to plant more hedgerows, leave them uncut, or raise the cutting height. To provide habitat for wildlife, the Government will incentivise farmers and land managers to maintain and plant more hedgerow trees.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.