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More than 230 farmers lost Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) money for breaches of rules on landscape features such as hedgerows and habitats in 2016 and 2017, Department of Agriculture figures reveal.
In 2017, some 134 farmers were penalised for interfering with landscape features on their farms.
Of these, 115 lost up to 5% of their BPS money, while 15 farmers were penalised by 9% to 15%.
Four farmers breached the rules to such an extent that they lost between 20% and 100% of their cheque in the post.
In 2016, some 101 farmers paid the price for not maintaining landscape features.
Of these, 92 farmers lost between 1% and 5% of their BPS, while seven farmers lost between 9% and 15%.
Two farmers lost between 20% and 100% of their BPS that year.
The outcome of 2018 cross-compliance inspections is still being finalised by the Department.
Landscape features
Hedgerows, including gappy hedges, trees in a line and drains/ditches are designated as landscape features under the standards for Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) of cross-compliance in the EU regulations. This means that, in general, they cannot be removed, damaged or interfered with.
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