Over the past few weeks, several farmers have raised concerns as to how competing vegetation should be controlled around recently planted GLAS hedgerows. Some farmers have seen hedges being smothered by surrounding grasses and other vegetation.

The GLAS specifications state that grass and competing vegetation must be controlled. However, it does not give any further information.

In a response to a query submitted by the Irish Farmers Journal, the Department has said that “the use of herbicides are allowed to control competing vegetation in the GLAS hedgerows actions until hedges become established”.

It is important to remember that any farmer wishing to apply herbicides must be registered as a professional user before they can legally apply them. Any farmer can still purchase sprays, but only registered users may apply them through the Sustainable Use Directive.

On existing hedges, farmers must be aware of their obligation to infill gaps, where present, which are not filled by the regrowth from the laid hedge. These gaps must be filled with whitethorn, blackthorn or holly plants at a minimum of four plants per metre.

Any plants that die must be replaced during the next dormant season. This may be a particular issue for farmers after Hurricane Ophelia damaged many hedgerows over the past few days. Farmers should address the damage over the coming weeks to ensure they do not receive any payment penalties.

Planting a grove of native trees

Under GLAS III, applicants had the option of planting 250 trees on 0.05ha or planting 450 trees on 0.09ha. Farmers are under no pressure to plant these trees, with a deadline of 31 March 2018.

However, they must fence off the area where the grove of trees will be planted by 31 October 2017, whether the grove has been planted or not. When planting, trees must be planted in rows 2m apart, with at least 1m between the plants within the rows. Those who have planted grooves of trees under the previous tranches of GLAS are also required to replace failed or dead trees during the dormant season.