Environment Newsletter - December 2020

Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Environment team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Hedges – rules and regulations; Know your derogation commitments & Message from ASSAP - How hedges protect water quality.

View December Environment Newsletter here (PDF)

In this month's edition: 

• Hedges – rules and regulations
  The immense value of hedges on Irish farmland to biodiversity, carbon and landscape is increasingly being recognised under legislation and cross compliance. So what does this mean to you? The latest requirement applies only if you are availing of the Nitrates Derogation, but all farmers need to be aware of rules and regulations when cutting hedges and if planning to remove hedges.
• Know your derogation commitments - Adopt at least one measure:
  1. Leave at least one mature whitethorn or blackthorn tree within each 300 metres of hedgerow.
  2. Maintain hedgerows on a minimum three-year cycle.
• Message from ASSAP - How hedges protect water quality
  You spend money and effort building up soil fertility to grow grass and crops, so don’t waste these valuable nutrients by losing them to watercourses. Currently, water quality in about half of our rivers needs some improvement to meet the required good status.