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What is a hedge? This was a topic of great debate at the "Advisor training" course I went on for the ELS scheme. The advice was that if it looked like a hedge, acted like a hedge and was managed like a hedge (ie. cut, trimmed, faced up, etc...) then IT WAS A HEDGE! I have found that most farmers are perfectly reasonable about what constitutes a hedge line and it is upto the ELS applicant to justify any features that he /she puts into the scheme. Don't forget that even newly planted hedges can be included, but they must be allowed to achieve a height of at least 1.5 metres during the life of the scheme.
As far as the 20% rule is concerned, I have applied it as follows: Where there is a generally continuous hedge line, with occasional short gaps in it that make up no more than 20% of the length, then I count the whole of that length as one hedge of X-metres. Where the gaps are significant I simply treat the hedge in two or more parts and add the lengths up separately for the purposes of Annex 1. I clearly mark the FEP and options maps with the hedges and gaps in this instance. You shouldn't rob yourself of points that can be justifiably claimed but just be sensible about it and there should be no problems.
One other recurring theme of the training was the "light touch" that was going to be used when inspections were being carried out. This remains to be seen and certainly does not appear to be true of the SFP inspectors!!
Happy New Year.
Ian @ Oakbank
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