The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has recently closed its consultation on protecting hedgerows. The existing protections were contained within the Common Agricultural Policy, which is no longer in force for the UK, so new policies are required.

Hedgerows are the threads that stitch together the British countryside's tapestry, offering refuge to wildlife and enhancing our rural landscapes. But these cherished features face threats, from neglect to removal, undermining biodiversity. As farming industrialised, using ever larger machines, hedgerows were removed. This created larger fields which could be farmed more efficiently. But this overlooks many benefits which they provide:

Biodiversity Haven: Hedgerows offer shelter for birds, insects, and mammals. They function as natural highways, facilitating movement, food and habitats for many species. This includes pollinators, crucial for many crops.

Carbon Stores: Hedgerows play a role in sequestering carbon, aiding in climate change mitigation. They absorb carbon dioxide from the air, storing it in their plant material and soil.

Aesthetic Appeal: Hedgerows define the character of rural landscapes, providing visual interest and seasonal beauty. They elevate the countryside's allure for residents and tourists.

Soil erosion protection: Hedgerows prevent soil erosion by binding the earth with their roots.

Water run off: They also serve as natural filters, curbing water pollution by preventing agricultural chemicals from reaching water courses.

The Defra Consultation

Defra's consultation aimed to gather public and expert opinions in order to protect and enhance hedgerows. Since leaving the EU, the existing laws have been ported into British legislature. The majority of the consultation takes the EU laws and asks whether the existing laws should be maintained or modified, to a lesser or greater extent.

Why It Matters

The new laws and policies could increase protections on hedgerows for years or decades to come. Conversely, it could represent a threat to hedgerows and all the benefits they provide. The government’s Environmental Improvement Plan seeks to create or restore 45,000 miles of hedgerows by 2050. Without appropriate legislation this may be difficult to achieve.

Conclusion

Hedgerows provide crucial benefits throughout the UK, they offer many benefits, similar to the woodlands we plan to create. Defra's hedgerow consultation seeks to replace the existing EU laws, we hope this will increase the protections so hedgerows thrive and increase over the coming years.