Government's Hedgerow Cuts Spark Outrage

The hedgerows in England are under threat due to the government's plan to cut funding that protects them.

The Basic Payments Scheme (BPS) which pays farmers to have hedgerows on their land will be replaced by the new Environmental Land-Management Scheme (ELMS) which doesn't have the same hedgerow protections.

The RSPB and other nature groups are calling for the government to keep the hedgerow protections or replace them with another policy to protect them.

The lack of care for hedges has been criticized by farmers and the government has been widely criticized for its lack of ambition to protect nature.

The government has announced plans to plant 30,000 miles of new hedgerows but there is no policy in place to ensure they are hit.

Farmers have also complained and urged the government to act.

The article discusses the countryside stewardship schemes in the UK, which are helping farmers maintain and restore hedgerows over 10,000km in length.

The government is also introducing a new hedgerow standard to pay farmers to assess and manage hedgerows for wildlife and biodiversity.

The government plans to consult on how to further protect hedgerows as it phases out the EU common agricultural policy.