Farmers should receive dedicated payments for hedgerow quality under the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), TDs and senators have heard.

That was among the messages delivered by a deputation led by Hedgerows Ireland at Leinster House yesterday (Tuesday, October 13).

The group were invited to address the public representatives by Sinn Féin Senator Joanne Collins as negotiations around the next CAP continue at EU level.

The presentation was given by Dr Alan Moore, Hedgerows Ireland,Stuart Green, Teagasc remote sensing expert, Neil Foulkes hedgerow specialist and farmer Donal Sheehan from the Biodiversity Regeneration in a Dairying Environment (BRIDE) project.

Hedgerow quality

The public representatives heard that just one third of Irish hedgerows are in favourable condition.

The group outlined how quality hedgerows can improve climate resilience, while addressing flooding and other challenges at a farm and landscape level.

However, they noted that hedgerow quality has not been rewarded under CAP, apart from the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)Cooperation approach.

The deputation made a number of suggestions about future CAP scheme designs for hedgerows including building on the work being carried out in ACRES Cooperation.

"We made a strong case for dedicated hedgerow quality payments to be included in the next CAP, but were clear that any such arrangement must not have the effect of of defunding more ambitious agri-environmental measures under ACRES Cooperation," Alan Moore, from Hedgerows Ireland, said.

The TDs and senators were shown how remote sensing technology and on-the-ground assessment can accurately measure landscape features, including hedgerow quality."We told the elected representatives that our group is just one of many expressing profound concerns about changes in the structure of the new CAP with the removal of the Space for Nature Eco Scheme, weakening of Conditionality requirements and removal of environmental ring fencing.

"If unchallenged, future CAP funding may become completely disconnected from landscape features on farms, including hedgerows," Moore said.

The issue of mulching mature hedgerows using heavy track machine mounted units was raised during the Hedgerows Ireland presentation as "an illustration of one consequence of failing to reward farmers for hedge quality".

The group has formally requested for a further delegation to address the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food "to make the case for robust scheme designs which will address these threats, and also opportunities".