FG9: Deer fencing
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the deer fencing item.
How much will be paid
£10.27 per metre (m).
Where to use this item
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants and Woodland Tree Health Grants but only on woodland and wood pasture.
How this item will benefit the environment
It will protect newly created or existing woodland from deer browsing as part of a wider woodland creation or woodland management project.
On wood pasture it will protect trees from grazing deer.
Requirements
For new agreements you must:
- Meet the fence specifications set out in the tables below (and in the Forestry Commission: Forest Fencing Technical Guide). As an alternative to wooden fence posts, you can use metal fence posts. For Higher Tier you need to agree this with your Natural England Adviser or Forestry Commission Woodland Officer
- Clear debris from the line of the fence
- Make the line of the fence smooth enough that the bottom of the fence sits with the ground (there must be no gaps that deer can enter through)
- Make sure the fence is regularly inspected
- Maintain the fence so that deer cannot enter the land until the trees are large enough that they no longer need to be protected
Specifications for the fence’s woodwork
| Species of deer | Endposts and turning posts (metres by centimetres) | Struts (metres by centimetres) | Intermediate stakes (metres by centimetres) | Maximum stake spacing (metres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roe | 2.8m by 10 to 13cm | 2.5m by 8 to 10cm | 2.5m by 5 to 8cm | 10m |
| Muntjac | 2.8m by 10 to 13cm | 2.5m by 8 to 10cm | 2.5m by 5 to 8cm | 10m |
| Red/sika/fallow | 2.8m by 12 to 18cm | 2.5m by 10 to 13cm | 2.6m by 8 to 10cm | 10m |
Specifications for the height of the fence and the size of the mesh
| Species of deer | Minimum fence height (metres) | Maximum mesh size (millimetres) |
|---|---|---|
| Red and sika | 1.8m | 200 by 300mm |
| Fallow | 1.8m | 200 by 220mm |
| Roe | 1.5m | 200 by 150mm |
| Muntjac | 1.5m | 75 by 75mm |
What the management plan needs to include
You can only use this option on an existing woodland site if your management plan clearly identifies that deer are present and pose a threat to the site. You do not need a woodland management plan where this item is being used to protect newly planted trees using capital item TE4 - Supply and plant tree.
If you have an existing agreement, you must continue to follow the specifications in that agreement.
Keeping records
You must keep the following records and supply them with your payment claim:
- photographs of the completed work
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- Forestry Commission Management Plan approval letter
The detailed requirements for this item will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. If you are a Higher Tier applicant you should discuss and agree these requirements with your adviser.
Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Higher Tier or Higher Tier Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.
Related items
You can use this item on the same area as the following items:
- FG4 - Rabbit fencing supplement
- FG5 - Fencing supplement - difficult sites
- FG14 - Badger gate
- FG15 - Water gates
Further information
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants including how to apply.
Updates to this page
Last updated 14 May 2024 + show all updates
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Wood pasture added to 'Where to use this item' and 'How this item will benefit the environment' sections.
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Removal of text confirming FG9 Deer fencing availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.
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This item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants
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The Requirements section of this page has been updated
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'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot.
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Page updated to show latest record keeping
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016.
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First published.