Rural Payments and Services

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The aim of this item is to benefit moorland, heathland and grassland habitats by reducing or eradicating bracken cover and preventing habitat loss.

On some areas of land, for example very steep slopes, chemical or mechanical control may not always be appropriate. In these areas manual control may be more appropriate.

Controlling bracken can also help to restore a more open structure to the existing vegetation, which will encourage native plants to thrive and provide better habitat for wildlife.

Moorland, heathland or unimproved grassland with bracken is eligible.

You must combine this item with one of the following management options:

• Moorland Management
• Species-rich Grassland Management
• Habitat Mosaic Management
• Heath Management (Coastal, Serpentine, Lowland and Special Interest)

You must prepare a bracken management plan, which must include a 1:2,500 or 1:10,000 map showing the extent of the bracken and the areas to be treated. You must estimate how many hectares of follow-up cutting will be undertaken in subsequent years.

• you must treat the area as detailed in your bracken management plan by cutting to sever the bracken fronds
• you must maintain a diary which includes the dates treatment was undertaken

You can claim £150.00 per hectare of treated land.

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. This can include works which offer a dual benefit to both the environment and the long term management of a Scheduled Monument located within the designated site (Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Natura sites)

Pillar One ineligible land can be treated, but cannot be claimed for payment.

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work
• you have treated the area as detailed in your bracken management plan
• you have maintained a diary which includes the dates treatment was undertaken

Supporting guidance is available for this item.

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