For Lozère farmers benefiting from CAP aid, it is prohibited to trim hedges after April 16, 2024

Les particuliers et les collectivités ne sont pas concernés par cette interdiction mais doivent être vigilants pour ne pas déranger la faune. Midi Libre – FRANCK VALENTIN

Initially, this measure, which aims to preserve the habitat of protected species, was to begin on March 16, but it was postponed due to bad weather.

Hedgerows must be the subject of all our attention because they are the habitat of protected species.

If the spring breeding period is particularly sensitive, protected species must, generally speaking, be the subject of constant attention throughout the year. It is everyone's responsibility to preserve these species by taking care not to destroy them or inadvertently destroy their natural habitat.

However, hedges constitute the habitat of many species, some of which are threatened and protected. Maintaining and planting hedges helps to stop the erosion of biodiversity.

Beware of sanctions

The destruction, alteration or degradation of habitats of protected species may constitute an offense punishable by sanctions. There is no formal ban on hedge trimming for individuals, communities and landscape professionals. However, many birds, some of which are protected, nest there from March to August and any intervention could disrupt their reproduction or even destroy broods.

It is therefore everyone's responsibility to limit maintenance work during this period and preferably postpone it.
Farmers benefiting from aid from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) undertake to respect Good Agro-Environmental Conditions (GAEC). One of them concerns the maintenance of hedges and prohibits pruning or cutting them between March 16 and August 15, to take into account environmental issues.< /p>

Deadline April 16

The increase in rainy episodes has prevented access to plots in certain areas and has not made it possible to carry out maintenance of hedges and trees at the usual times. Thus, within the framework of GAEC 8, for operators who would not have the possibility of postponing this maintenance work after August 15, the start of the ban period pruning of trees and hedges is postponed from March 16 to April 16, 2024, in Lozère.

The ban end date remains August 15. It is advisable to act with caution and refrain from intervening on a hedge in which a protected species nests.