Rural Payments and Services

There have been a number of customer queries to our area offices from farmers about the ban on cutting hedges from 1 March up to and including 31 August. To clarify, other than for road safety reasons, there is no derogation to this rule, which has been extended by a month in line with the EU legislation to cover the bird rearing as well as the nesting season.

Earlier in the year the NFUS asked for a derogation for farmers sowing oilseed rape. The Scottish Government considered a derogation but decided the bureaucracy involved would be disproportionate considering the area of oilseed rape, the later planting season in Scotland and the fact that hedges can be cut after 31 August the following year when the oilseed rape crop is harvested. In addition some hedges do not need to be cut every year and there are conservation benefits in cutting every second year.

The relevant guidance can be found on Rural Payments and Services (point 2).

Retention of landscape features (GAEC 7)