As of 1st September, farmers may resume hedge management activity in accordance with the Manx Hedgerow Management Code of Best Practice. 

Under the Countryside Care Scheme launched in April this year, farmers are required to manage their hedges according to the Code of Practice in order to meet Cross Compliance conditions for their full payment from the Scheme.

The Code disallows hedge management from 1st March to 31st August, during which perioud birds are nesting and raising their young; the only exemption is for management with hand tools or for Health and Safety purposes. 

Outside of these dates, all landowners should take care not to disturb or damage nesting birds when managing their hedges as this is an offence under the Wildlife Act 1990.

Another Standard that farmers should meet in order to avoid penalties is designed to protect field boundaries which are important as wildlife habitat and contribute to the beauty of the Island’s landscape. 

Boundaries include all types of hedges including sod hedges and hedgerow trees.

Prior approval must be gained from DAFF before such boundary features can be removed or destroyed. 

However, the control of injurious weeds which occur on or in hedges, for instance thistles and ragwort, should continue. 

As sowing for next years’ harvest is undertaken, farmers should ensure that cultivation does not take place within one metre of the centre of the hedgerow. This field margin should also be kept free of pesticide and fertiliser applications.

Scrub management can also now be undertaken including the removal of gorse and bracken.

However, where the land is uncultivated or is of a semi-natural type, the Department’s approval must be sought before work commences, in order to avoid Cross Compliance penalties.

DAFF Minister Phil Gawne MHK says, "If any farmers are uncertain about work which they wish to undertake, a quick call to the Field officers at Knockaloe will clarify matters and ensure that they do not risk losing payment from the Countryside Care Scheme through non-compliance with the ‘Standards of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition’ defined in the Scheme. 

"Managing hedges and scrub in ways which maximise their value to wildlife whilst enabling normal farming activities to take place is an important balancing act to master and the Department is committed to helping farmers achieve this."