Hedgerows are a key feature of the Welsh landscape. Established and maintained by farmers over generations, hedgerows and the traditional skills required to manage them are an important part of Welsh heritage.
Hedgerow regulation
In response to a request, NFU Cymru has recently provided written comments to the Interim Environmental Protection Assessor for Wales (IEPAW), Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones, on the effectiveness of the legal framework with respect to hedgerows in Wales.
The role of the IEPAW is to provide oversight on the functioning of environmental law. The proposed report on hedgerows follows submissions to IEPAW expressing concern that the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 were not meeting their stated aim. The report will also consider whether grant funding is encouraging the removal of overgrown hedges.
Hedgerows protected in law
As farmers we are aware that hedgerows are protected in law. Under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 it is against the law to remove most hedgerows without permission obtained from the local authority. Hedgerows are also protected as landscape features through GAEC 7 in cross compliance which concerns the maintenance of landscape features including hedges and it is a requirement that these features are retained.
Cross compliance requirements are subject to inspection, which includes checking the retention of landscape features on the ground against maps and aerial photography.
Future support
As Welsh Government starts the transition to the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2025, we understand its aim is to bring together the legislation that underpins cross compliance into a set of National Minimum Standards (NMS) with proportionate enforcement - NMS is to be the gateway to access future support.
In this context, NFU Cymru believes that the regulatory requirements surrounding hedgerows on Welsh farms are sufficient and further regulation is not needed.
Misunderstanding
Responding to the specific point of whether grant funding available to farmers is encouraging the removal of overgrown hedges, NFU Cymru believes this perception arises as a result of the widespread misunderstanding amongst the public about the range of practices undertaken as part of hedgerow restoration and ongoing management.
Whilst coppicing can appear severe - with the result it can be viewed as hedgerow removal – the regrowth is protected from grazing livestock by double fencing bringing an overgrown/undermanaged hedgerow into a regime of favourable management for the future.
Positive management
Instead of a focus on more regulation, we believe Welsh Government’s focus needs to be on establishing appropriate levels of support that reflect the true costs of hedgerow establishment, management and maintenance. It is imperative that hedgerows are included in any targets established for tree cover in the proposed SFS if we are to secure their positive management for the future.