The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Nesting season brings ban on hedge cutting for farmers
MEASURES: Reminder by NFUS that the rule applies from Friday to August 31
Farmers have been reminded by NFU Scotland (NFUS) that a hedge cutting ban comes into place on Friday, coinciding with the start of the bird nesting and rearing season.
The rule, which applies from March 1 to August 31, bans the cutting and trimming of hedges and trees due to cross-compliance requirements, although a hedge or tree may be trimmed from August 1 if it is in a field which will be sown with oilseed rape, temporary grass or another crop.
This is subject to prior written consent by Scottish ministers, where the hedge or tree is adjacent to the field being sown.
The only other rule exception is for road safety where a hedge or tree overhangs a road, surfaced track or a footpath which may obstruct or interfere with the passage or view of vehicles, pedestrians or horse riders, or the obstruction of light from a public lamp.
“The ban is yet another example of where farmers are protecting and encouraging wildlife within the countryside,” said the NFUS combinable crops committee chairman, Ian Sands, who farms at Balbeggie, Perthshire.
“Last year Scottish farmers maintained over 1,329 miles of hedges as part of Greening measures and the growth in numbers of bird species, such as corn buntings and curlews, is recognition of this.
“Farmers and crofters have always been custodians of the countryside and by enabling nesting birds the sanctuary of Scottish hedgerows, farmers are once again actively encouraging a wide variety of habitats for a number of species.”
He said the rule change, which allows hedges and trees to be trimmed in August where oilseed rape or grass is being grown, was a “practical decision by Scottish Government” and the result of repeated lobbying by NFU Scotland.
Mr Sands added that the union was keen to establish a trimming system post-Brexit which will allow farmers to get on with feeding the nation, while still delivering environmental outcomes.