Hedgerow management: regulatory approach and use of civil sanctions
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
This is the Government’s response to the Hedgerows Enforcement Consultation that closed on 10 December 2024. The consultation covered all aspects of the regulatory approach such as appeals and enforcement actions.
Details of outcome
The protection of hedgerows is now regulated, and the Rural Payment’s Agency (RPA) will take a balanced enforcement approach that is advice and guidance led. Enforcement tools will be available for more serious and repeat cases.
Respondents were generally supportive of RPA’s advice and guidance led approach. However, some respondents raised concerns that this approach may weaken the protection of hedgerows compared with previous enforcement measures linked to scheme payments.
RPA has updated the statutory guidance following feedback. We have made it clear that in serious cases, civil and criminal sanctions will be used for a first offence where appropriate. We have provided clearer examples and added additional ones to show when and where we might take different types of action.
Details of feedback received
We received 175 responses to this consultation, 52% of which were from farm businesses.
Original consultation
Consultation description
Hedgerows are a vital part of our countryside. They benefit our wildlife, the environment and our landscapes. We know that farmers, land managers and the general public greatly value hedgerows.
The Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 (‘the regulations’) set out the rules for hedgerow management together with our approach to enforcement and the civil sanctions which may apply. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has been appointed by the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to act on his behalf as regulator in respect of the regulations.
This consultation document sets out how the RPA proposes to enforce these regulations and seeks views on this proposed approach, as set out in the draft statutory guidance.
We welcome responses from farmers, land managers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), consultants, charitable organisations, the general public and any other person or group who has an interest in the future management and regulation of hedgerows in England.
Updates to this page
Published 29 October 2024Last updated 19 February 2025 + show all updates
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Added the Government's response to the consultation in the outcome section.
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First published.