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.

Road safety includes cutting and trimming hedges either side of a gate to allow greater visibility for tractor drivers exiting or entering a field.

Please see Retention of landscape features (GAEC 7) for more information.