The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has produced an updated ‘Manx Hedge Management- Code of Best Practice’ to coincide with today's (1st March) start of the restricted period for hedge cutting. The revised code was developed after consultation with the MNFU, conservation organisations and other countryside stakeholders.
The new code has been altered to take account of the Countryside Care Scheme launched in April 2009, in which amongst other Statutory Management Requirements (SMR’s), farmers are required to manage their hedges according to the Code of Practice in order to meet Cross Compliance conditions to receive payment from the Scheme.
The Code disallows hedge management, except by using hand tools or for Health & Safety purposes, after 1st March, which coincides with the beginning of bird-breeding season.
Hedge cutting is normally only permitted to resume after the 31st August. However, the revised Code allows a relaxation of this date for farmers in the Countryside Care Scheme if they can demonstrate that operational issues, such as a narrow window between ploughing and reseeding of fields in an arable rotation in August may facilitate a hedge cut at this time.
Details of how farmers should notify DAFF of hedge management activity outside of the permitted period are explained in the Code.
DAFF Minister Phil Gawne MHK said, "Managing hedges and field boundaries in ways which maximise their value to wildlife, whilst enabling essential farming activities to take place, is an important balancing act.
"I am pleased that my Department and the farming community have worked together to achieve a satisfactory compromise".
John Crellin, MNFU’s Land Committee Chairman commented, "We are delighted that DAFF recognise the difficulties faced by farmers in the arable sector. The revision to the hedge code will allow more efficient use of time and resources at one of the busiest times in the farming calendar.
"Our members are committed to looking after the Manx countryside and its wildlife and always try to manage our hedges to accommodate nesting birds."
Irrespective of when hedges are cut, it should be noted that it is an offence under the Wildlife Act 1990, punishable by a fine of up to ?5000 to disturb or damage the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use. Therefore a visual inspection should be carried out before any works are carried out.
Copies of the Manx Hedge Code are available at http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/daff/CCS/manxhedgemanagement.pdf or by contacting DAFF Agriculture Division on 842335.
