Removing a hedge, stone wall or sheugh – implications for Single Farm Payment
Dr Carol Millsopp, Countryside Management Branch, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)
Maintaining the land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) and meeting the requirements of Cross-Compliance are now a reality for farmers who wish to qualify for the Single Farm Payment.
One aspect of Cross-Compliance is concerned with field boundary removal.
All farmers wishing to receive the Single Farm Payment (SFP) must seek DARD permission before they remove hedges, dry stone walls or sheughs.
The Cross-Compliance rules came into force on 1 January 2005. All farmers should have received a DARD booklet (SFP 2005, Part 3) on the Cross-Compliance requirements.
DARD will consider field boundary removal on a site-by-site basis, after consideration of the quality of the field boundary and the size of field. If you wish to remove a field boundary please submit your request to Countryside Management Staff at your local DARD Office.
Under Cross-Compliance, removal of field boundaries is not permitted except by prior written permission from DARD.
