The Guardian reports that farmers are urging the government to include hedge creation in its nature-friendly farming subsidy scheme in an attempt to increase biodiversity

Details about the post-Brexit replacement for the EU’s common agricultural policy have been scarce, with land managers simply told they would get payments for providing “public goods” such as protecting nature.

More than 1,100 farmers surveyed by Farmers Weekly, on behalf of CPRE, the countryside charity, revealed a lack of funding was by far the biggest obstacle to planting and maintaining hedgerows.

Wildlife and nature corridors are seen as the greatest benefit of hedgerows by almost nine in 10 farmers.

Other perceived benefits include providing shelter or shade for crops or livestock and a home for pollinators and pest predators.

About 70% of farmers said they would plant more hedgerows if they were given the right incentives by government, while 82% supported the idea of government-funded nature-friendly farming focusing on hedgerows to increase their quality and abundance.

CPRE is calling for the government to adopt a target of 40% more hedgerows by 2050 to increase nature in the countryside, and to use the new payments system, the environment land management scheme (ELMs), to incentivise farmers to plant them.

Full article:

The Guardian - Farmers urge UK government to fund hedge creation to bolster biodiversity

CPRE, the countryside charity, is a member of the Rural Services Network.  You can find out more about them at this link.