Rural Payments Agency
This section contains the mandatory requirements for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions for hedgerows. These requirements are part of your SFI agreement.
You can choose which of these SFI actions to do and what length of eligible hedgerows to do them on.
What we explain in each SFI action
The details of each SFI action explain:
- the actions aim
- where you can do the action - this includes what land is eligible, whether its a rotational or static action, and which other environmental land management actions or options you can do on the same area within a land parcel (noting that it may also be possible to do part-parcel actions on another area within the same land parcel)
- what you need to do for the action
- when to do the action
- how to do the action which is up to you, as long as its done in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve the actions aim
- what evidence to keep
Overview of the SFI actions for hedgerows
The SFI actions for hedgerows are focused on improving their management to provide well-developed hedgerows and hedgerow trees.
These actions include:
- HRW1: Assess and record hedgerow condition
- HRW2: Manage hedgerows
- HRW3: Maintain or establish hedgerow trees
These actions should help to:
- maintain and strengthen the contribution of hedges to landscape character
- provide shelter and nesting cover, as well as flower and berry food resources for insects, birds and mammals
- increase resilience to climate change and contribute to improving local air quality
- provide shelter from wind and the elements for livestock and crops, which can help improve productivity
- form part of an integrated pest management approach
HRW1: Assess and record hedgerow condition
How much youll be paid
Youll receive 5 per 100 metres for one side of an eligible hedgerow per year.
This actions aim
This actions aim is that you:
- understand the condition of your hedgerows
- effectively plan how they can be managed to improve their condition
Where you can do this action
You can do this action on one side or both sides of an eligible hedgerow. Read the information about how we define an eligible hedgerow for SFI.
You can choose what total length of eligible hedgerows to enter into this action.
Other land management actions or options you can do with HRW1
The table below sets out which other SFI actions, Countryside Stewardship (CS) management options, Environmental Stewardship (ES) revenue options and SFI pilot standards you can do in land parcels with eligible boundaries entered into HRW1.
Actions or options that can be done with HRW1
| Scheme | Action or option codes that can be done with HRW1 |
|---|---|
| SFI 2023 | All SFI actions |
| CS | All CS management options, including BE3 (management of hedgerows) |
| ES | All ES revenue options |
| SFI pilot | All SFI pilot standards, including all levels of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard |
What to do
You must:
- assess the condition of all the hedgerows entered into this action
- produce a written hedgerow condition assessment record for these hedgerows
If youve already assessed these hedgerows and produced a written hedgerow condition assessment record in the last 5 years, you can use it to meet this action.
When to do it
You must:
- assess the condition of the hedgerows and complete a written hedgerow condition assessment record within the first 12 months of your SFI agreement
- review the condition of the hedgerows and update the hedgerow condition assessment record in each subsequent year of your SFI agreement
How to do it
Its up to you how you complete this action, as long as you do it in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this actions aim.
You may find it helpful to read the voluntary guidance on how to assess and record hedgerow condition, but you do not have to follow it.
You can record the hedgerow condition assessment on paper or digitally.
What evidence to keep
You must keep a written record of your hedgerow condition assessment. You must supply this evidence if we ask for it.
HRW2: Manage hedgerows
How much youll be paid
Youll receive 13 per 100 metres for one side of an eligible hedgerow per year.
You can also apply for CS Capital Grants to help you manage the eligible hedgerows you do this action on, including hedgerow laying (BN5), hedgerow coppicing (BN7) and hedgerow gapping up (BN7).
This actions aim
This actions aim is that you manage hedgerows so theres a range of different heights and widths to provide:
- habitat for wildlife
- pollen, nectar and berries for mammals, birds and insects
Where you can do this action
You can do this action on one side or both sides of an eligible hedgerow. Read the information about how we define an eligible hedgerow for SFI.
Youll need to enter both sides of an eligible, fully-established hedgerow into this action if youre managing it in a coppicing or laying rotation.
You can choose what total length of eligible hedgerows to enter into this action.
You cannot enter hedgerows into this action if theyre used for CS option BE3 (management of hedgerows), because this action pays for substantially the same actions as BE3.
Other land management actions or options you can do with HRW2
The table below sets out which other SFI actions, CS management options, ES revenue options and SFI pilot standards you can do in land parcels with eligible boundaries entered into HRW2.
Actions or options that can be done with HRW2
| Scheme | Action or option codes that can be done with HRW2 |
|---|---|
| SFI 2023 | All SFI actions |
| CS | All CS management options, apart from BE3 (management of hedgerows) |
| ES | All ES revenue options, apart from boundary options |
| SFI pilot | All SFI<
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