Hedge cutting

[Bird]

Is it actually to cut a hedge in nesting season (march to August)

[Bird]

Illegal. Key word missing

[tractorboy1]

Is it actually to cut a hedge in nesting season (march to August)

 

[Bird]

Illegal

[Vespasian]

Not that I know of, you're not supposed to disturb nesting birds though. find one in the hedge and leave it be...

[hamdogg]

No!! It's only illegal to damage or interfere with an active best

[hamdogg]

No!! It's only illegal to damage or interfere with an active best

 

 

Nest!!! (I hate predictive txt)

[farmer rod]

I am ready to be corrected, but if its next to a right of way or borders a domestic curtilage , then its ok, otherwise, no

[stihlmadasever]

Nesting birds are protected

[Marko]

See below for the NFU abridged version. This is what BSP claimants must abide by but I would think it hard to argue this is not best practice for all if challenged:

 

This year [2015] saw the introduction of new rules for hedge-cutting under cross compliance.

 

It means that you are not allowed to cut or trim your hedgerow between 1 March and 31 August unless you have applied for a derogation from the RPA and received written permission or any of the following apply:

 

The hedgerow overhangs a highway, road or footpath over which there is a public or private right of way and the overhanging hedgerow obstructs the passage of, or is a danger to, vehicles, pedestrians or horse riders

The hedgerow is dead, diseased, damaged or insecurely rooted and because of its condition, it or part of it, is likely to cause danger by falling on to a highway, road or footpath; or obstructs the view of drivers or the light from a public lamp

It is to carry out hedge-laying or coppicing during the period 1 March to 30 April (inclusive)

It is to trim a newly laid hedgerow by hand, within six months of it being laid

The change in cutting dates from 2014 was introduced under new EU Regulations requiring the protection of birds during both the breeding and rearing season.

 

The NFU has lobbied against the later cutting date. When that proved unsuccessful, we fought for and secured a derogation where oilseed rape and grass crops are being planted in August.