FG3: Permanent electric fencing

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the permanent electric fencing item.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
12 August 2024 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Land use:
Grassland, Livestock management, Priority habitats, Uplands, Water quality
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier, Standalone capital items
Funding (per unit per year):
Up to £100

How much will be paid

£5.66 per metre (m).

Where to use this item

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier

Only:

  • where new fencing is required to meet option grazing requirements

or

  • in areas affected by water pollution caused by farming (approval from Catchment Sensitive Farming is not required nor does the parcel need to be in a High Priority area for water quality)

or

  • to protect environmental features (for example newly planted trees, biodiverse buffer strips and field corners taken out of management) or as agreed with the Forestry Commission Woodland Officer

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants:

  • in areas affected by water pollution caused by farming (approval from Catchment Sensitive Farming is not required nor does the parcel need to be in a High Priority area for water quality)
  • to protect environmental features (for example newly planted trees, buffer strips and field corners taken out of management) or as agreed with the Forestry Commission Woodland Officer

Where this item cannot be used

  • on historic or archaeological features as identified in the HEFER
  • on a site where a fence has received a grant in the last 7 years

How this item will benefit the environment

If successful this item will help control livestock and protect environmental features. It will also help to manage habitats.

Requirements

For wooden posts you must:

  • erect wire fencing at least 1.05m high using a minimum of 4 mild steel or high tensile plain wires attached to the posts with suitable insulators
  • use wooden straining posts with a top diameter of at least 150mm by 2.1m long, spaced according to the type of wire used
  • use struts with a top diameter of at least 75mm which are 2.1m long, morticed into straining posts. You can use a box strainer with, or instead of a strut
  • use intermediate posts with a top diameter of at least 65mm which are 1.65m long, spaced according to the type of wire used
  • install a mains-operated energiser in accordance with manufacturers recommendations
  • make sure that all the materials meet the relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance

You can use any type of metal post, but they must be suitable for the site and be durable for 5 years from the start of your agreement.

For metal posts you must:

  • use straining posts which are at least 2.4m in length
  • place a straining post at every change of direction (horizontal or vertical) and at each end of the fence
  • use intermediate posts at least 1.8m long
  • struts should be at least 2.1m long
  • attach struts to posts using a suitable connector
  • erect the steel wire mesh fence to at least 1.05m high when installed. You can use additional strands of galvanised steel wire (plain or barbed) if you need extra height, using strands of galvanised 4mm mild plain steel wire or 2.5mm barbed wire or high tensile

You can install the metal posts according to the installation recommendation of the manufacturer.

Do not:

If you have an existing agreement, you must continue to follow the specifications in that agreement.

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to 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
  • photographs of the existing site

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

  • photographs of the completed work

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or 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.

This item can be used on the same length as the following item:

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 12 August 2024 + show all updates

  1. In the 'requirements' section a measurement in the first bullet point has been changed and a typo corrected in the third.

  2. Updates made to the Requirements section.

  3. Removal of text confirming FG3 Permanent electric fencing availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.

  4. Update to 'Where to use this option' section, 'Capital grants' sub-section to include protection of environmental features.

  5. The Requirements section of this page has been updated

  6. 'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot.

  7. Updated Where to use this item

  8. Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants

  9. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  10. First published.

Contents

Related content