Rules that require farmers to maintain hedges to receive agricultural subsidies may be scrapped
England would lose hundreds of miles of valuable hedgerows a year under Government plans, new analysis suggests.
Hedgerows are increasingly recognised as vital tools for absorbing greenhouse gases, providing homes and corridors for wildlife and slowing flooding.
But changes to England’s system of farm payments means that rules that currently protect rural hedgerows will lapse this year.
Under the protections, farmers are required to maintain existing hedges in order to qualify for agricultural subsidies.