Rural Payments and Services

The aim of this item is to support black grouse and capercaillie by marking newly erected stock fences to prevent collisions within core black grouse and capercaillie areas.

Any land within black grouse and capercaillie core areas is eligible.

This item must be combined with one of the following items:

• Stock Fence
• Conversion of Deer Fence to Stock Fence (in black grouse and capercaillie core areas)

You must prepare and submit for approval a plan detailing your fence marking proposals.

The plan must also show the location of the proposed fence(s) to be marked on a 1:10,000 map.

The top wire must be marked at least once between upright posts with reflective metal plates or bundles of heather; or with any other visibility marking material as recommended by your capercaillie or black grouse officer.

You must maintain a diary.

You can claim £2.50 per metre marked.

You may apply for payment on an actual cost basis for this item if the work you are proposing to carry out will benefit the notified features of a designated site, and where there are exceptional circumstances.

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work
• the top wire has been marked at least once between upright posts with reflective metal plates or bundles of heather; or with any other visibility marking material as recommended by your capercaillie or black grouse officer
• you have maintained a diary

Supporting guidance is available for this item.

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