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Closed Make protection of hedgerows a condition of ELM and BPS subsidies

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The Government should seek to protect hedgerow habitats by requiring any hedgerow adjacent to field sections & borders to be allowed a full three-year growth cycle, as a condition of any payment or subsidy through the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes and the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

Hedgerow supports many creatures that other types of habitat do not, providing harvest and shelter for the broadest range of species. The depth of three-yearly cuts must allow for sustainably healthy growth and development of foliage. Cutting depth thus to be subject, also, to limitation.

Making the retention of hedgerows a condition of BPS and ELM payments, particularly the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI), should ensure re-wilding of natural landscape as food, shelter and nest sites are restored, but this will take some time as ancient tracts of hedgerow have been weakened. Other landowners should be encouraged to follow suit, and means considered to reward their doing so. Such moves would ensure that public money is used to fund environmentally sustainable practices.

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  • Related activity

    MPs debate legal protections for hedgerows

    On Wednesday 24 January, MPs took part in a Westminster Hall debate on legal protections for hedgerows. The debate was led by Selaine Saxby MP. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rebecca Pow MP, responded to the debate on behalf of the Government.

    What is a Westminster Hall debate?

    Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.

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    This petition will stay open until 27 October 2022.