The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has called on the Government to extend the current hedge-cutting open period.
Currently, the statutory closed period for hedge-cutting runs from 1 March to 31 August.
However, with the recent levels of exceptionally high rainfall, hedge maintenance has been put on hold in many areas across the country as land has been inaccessible, the FCI has said.
It said it “fully recognises the importance of adhering to environmental and wildlife protection regulations. However, given the exceptional and prolonged saturation of land caused by unprecedented rainfall, FCI believes a limited and carefully defined extension for flail hedge maintenance only, until 17 March 2026, is both reasonable and necessary.”
“Furthermore, FCI proposes that statutory closed period from 1 March to 31 August would remain unchanged in respect of mulching and saw-type hedge maintenance.”
Survey
The FCI conducted a survey of its members to assess the level of hedge-cutting still to be completed, which found:
25% of contractors reported that approximately half of their customers still need hedge-cutting work carried out.25% of contractors reported that approximately one-quarter of their customers still require hedge maintenance.FCI managing director, Ann Gleeson Hanrahan, said: “One of the greatest long-term threats to hedgerows and their biodiversity is the lack of regular, appropriate management. The extension sought by FCI is limited to routine annual hedge maintenance only, which supports secure stock-proof boundaries, protects biodiversity in Irish hedgerows and improves public and road safety.”
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has called on the Government to extend the current hedge-cutting open period.
Currently, the statutory closed period for hedge-cutting runs from 1 March to 31 August.
However, with the recent levels of exceptionally high rainfall, hedge maintenance has been put on hold in many areas across the country as land has been inaccessible, the FCI has said.
It said it “fully recognises the importance of adhering to environmental and wildlife protection regulations. However, given the exceptional and prolonged saturation of land caused by unprecedented rainfall, FCI believes a limited and carefully defined extension for flail hedge maintenance only, until 17 March 2026, is both reasonable and necessary.”
“Furthermore, FCI proposes that statutory closed period from 1 March to 31 August would remain unchanged in respect of mulching and saw-type hedge maintenance.”
Survey
The FCI conducted a survey of its members to assess the level of hedge-cutting still to be completed, which found:
25% of contractors reported that approximately half of their customers still need hedge-cutting work carried out.25% of contractors reported that approximately one-quarter of their customers still require hedge maintenance.FCI managing director, Ann Gleeson Hanrahan, said: “One of the greatest long-term threats to hedgerows and their biodiversity is the lack of regular, appropriate management. The extension sought by FCI is limited to routine annual hedge maintenance only, which supports secure stock-proof boundaries, protects biodiversity in Irish hedgerows and improves public and road safety.”
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