Farmers are being urged to remember the hedge cutting regulations which are in place as part of cross compliance to avoid a penalty on their BPS payment.

Farmers are not allowed to cut trees or hedges between 1 March to 31 August. Anyone not complying with the rules could face a hefty cross compliance penalty on their BPS payment which is avoidable.

There are exceptions to the standard rule, but only if the conditions are met can you start cutting early or late. You can also carry out hedge laying and coppicing during March providing nesting birds are not disturbed. However, we urge our members to make sure they don’t fall foul by accident.

Other exemptions include the cutting of hedgerows or trees that overhang a highway, road, track or footpath to which the public have access, where the work is necessary because the overhanging vegetation either obstructs the passage of vehicles or pedestrians; obstructs the view of drivers, or the light from a public lamp; or there is a danger to horse-riders.

Farmers are also allowed to cut or trim hedgerows and trees if they are dead, diseased, damaged or insecurely rooted, and are therefore likely to cause a danger by falling onto a highway, road or footpath.

We also urge our members to remember that for safety reasons, electricity and telephone companies are responsible for the maintenance of any overhanging trees and/or hedges which affect their equipment.

The University of Aberdeen is conducting an interview study with farmers on stress and fatigue and the influence of these factors on ‘situation awareness’.

The information will help determine the causes and effects of stress and fatigue in agriculture, especially the impact on the mental picture of the environment. Respondents will also be asked to complete a short demographic survey at the end. The experiment offers a chance for farmers to share their experiences on stress and fatigue and to help the community by building a better understanding of farmer safety.

The study can take place either via telephone or on site at your farm and lasts 30-40 minutes. Interested members must be aged over 18 and should contact Ilinca Tone via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

i) Welsh Government Clean Air Plan For Wales

The aim of the Clean Air Plan for Wales is to improve air quality and ‘reduce the burden of poor air quality on human health, biodiversity and the natural environment in Wales’.

The plan uses themes to address areas of impact where future action is required. These themes include improving air quality to:
Protect the health and well-being of current and future generations
Support our natural environment, ecosystems and biodiversity
Support a prosperous Wales
Support a sustainable place

Please follow click here for the consultation document. Deadline for responses is 10 March 2020.

ii) Welsh Government Changes to Planning and Related Applications Fees

This Welsh Government consultation proposes to retain the current planning fee structure as set out in the 2015 regulations in the short-term and increase all planning fees by around 20%. In addition, to support Local Planning Authorities when determining applications for certificates of appropriate alternative development, they propose to introduce a fee of £230 per application.

In the longer term, Welsh Government aims to consider whether there is a need to reform the method of charging planning fees for supporting the cost recovery process.

Please follow click here for the consultation document. Deadline for responses is 13 March 2020.

iii) Welsh Government Beyond Recycling - Circular Economy Strategy

Welsh Government is aiming to move towards a circular economy in Wales whereby waste is avoided, as much as possible is recycled and products stay in use for longer. From 1997 to 2017, Wales has transformed from a nation which recycled less than 5% of its municipal waste, to become an international leader that recycles 63%. Likewise, greenhouse gas emissions from waste reduced by 60% between 2001 and 2017.

The consultation looks to produce a strategy that will make Wales:

• A world leader in recycling
• Phase out single use plastic
• Invest in clean technology for materials collection by introducing zero emission vehicles
• Make more efficient use of our food working with businesses from farm to fork
• Priorities the purchasing of wood, re-manufactured and recycled content
• Enable communities to take collective action
• Support all businesses in Wales to reduce their carbon footprint and become more resource efficient
• And take full responsibility for our waste

Please follow click here to view the consultation document and associated documents which summarise the strategy. Deadline for responses is 3 April 2020.