Do Farms Have To Plant Hedgerows By Law?

Sadly within the UK, farmers do not have to plant hedgerows by law and until recently, the hedgerow has been in serious decline in the UK.  Over the last 60 years it is estimated that some 200,000 miles of hedgerow have been lost within the UK and it is only recently that the matter has received some attention.
The EU is now paying subsidies to farmers which can enable them to maintain and manage hedgerows, although many farmers, particularly smaller farmers feel that the subsidies are far from enough to maintain a reasonable standard of living.
Once planted the hedgerow requires attention to keep it pruned and the older it gets, the thicker the trees become, requiring significant levels of work to keep them tidy and fit for purpose.  As a result many farmers simply wiped them out and replaced them with fences.  Now they can be replanted with financial assistance from the European Union in the form of Rejuvenation Orders, but they are still under threat as is the wildlife hedgerows protect.

In short, no. There is absolutely no obligation under British law to plant new hedgerows and many farmers do not as they have higher maintenance requirements that wire fences. However if you have existing hedgerows you may be legally required not to remove them. The law protects hedgerows that are thirty years old or older and 20 metres long or longer, or that contained certion species of plant. Local authorities may also have requirements that relate to historic areas or the protection of wild animals.

If you receive 'single payment' other regulations about hedgerow form and maintenance apply. If you have any doubt or questions about how to deal with hedgerows you should request free information from DEFRA using this email address: farmland.conservation@defra.gsi.gov.uk. Hedgerows are something of a responsibility and seem to be falling out of use but they also have great benefits in protecting stock and crops from the wind and the earth from erosion and excessive run-off so they are likely to be a good long term investment.