Rural Payments and Services

The aim of this item is to protect newly planted trees or gapped up hedge plants from voles, rabbits or hares.

Any land is eligible.

You must combine this capital item with either:

• Small-scale Tree and Shrub Planting or
• either the Management or Restoration of Hedgerows option or the Creation of Hedgerows option, and the Planting or Replanting of Hedges item

You cannot apply for rabbit or hare guards and the rabbit-proofing fencing capital item.

However, vole guards are compatible with rabbit-proof fencing.

You must mark the proposed location(s) of areas where hedge plant or tree protection is proposed on a 1:2,500 map.

You must protect each newly planted hedge plant with a plastic guard.

• vole guards - the height of the guard must be at least 20 centimetres
• rabbit guards - the height of the guard must be at least 60 centimetres
• hare guards the height of the guard must be at least 75 centimetres

For all guards, you must carry out this capital item during the first 18 months of your contract.

You can claim:

• £0.20 per vole guard for individual trees or shrubs
• £1.20 per metre for vole guards for hedge planting / replanting
• £0.30 per rabbit or hare guard for individual trees or shrubs
• £1.80 per metre for rabbit or hare guards for hedge planting / replanting

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work
• vole guards - the height of the guard is at least 20 centimetres
• rabbit guards - the height of the guard is at least 60 centimetres
• hare guards - the height of the guard is at least 75 centimetres
• you carried out this item during the first 18 months of your contract

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