SW1: 4m to 6m buffer strip on cultivated land
What is SW1?
SW1 is an action under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. It pays £515.00 per year for 4m to 6m buffer strip on cultivated land.
What do I need to do?
* Establish and maintain a 4 to 6 metre wide grass strip on cultivated land.
* Ensure an intact grass sward with no evidence of damage from vehicle or stock access routes.
* Do not apply any fertilisers or manures.
* Do not use pesticides , except for herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, nettles or bracken.
* Do not remove fallen timber or the limbs of hedgerow trees over 30cm in diameter at breast height.
What evidence do I need?
Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.
Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
Photographs of the strips
Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.
* Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
How much does SW1 pay?
SW1 pays £515.00 per year.
Which land is eligible?
Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier. On the edges of cultivated fields, between the productive part of the field and an existing feature or habitat (which must be identified on the Farm Environment Record (FER)), such as: hedgerows and hedge trees remnants of trees on former boundary lines stone walls woodlands ponds, ditches, rivers and streams It can also be used next to: trackways that channel runoff water directly to a watercourse fence lines that form
Related links
This information is provided by Farmwalk based on published government guidance. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.