Branchage: New guidance to protect wildlife agreed

Branchage: New guidance to protect wildlife agreed

Environmental groups have long claimed that the use of heavy machinery to strip back hedgerows and banks twice a year is killing species including bats, hedgehogs and birds.

Following a demonstration on how to cut back seasonal growth without damaging wildlife at Les Prés Manor in Grouville this week, a leaflet explaining the details of how it should be done is being sent out.

Environmental campaigner Bob Tompkins, who has been involved in campaigning for the current practices to be reformed, confirmed that an informal compromise has been reached.

It comes after a group of campaigners recently met the Constables’ Committee and a representative from the Growth, Housing and Environment Department to voice their concern that using heavy machinery was reducing hedgerows to ‘ground zero’.

Mr Tompkins, who is also a member of the Branchage Action Group, said that the demonstration involved contractors using different methods to cut the hedge until agreeing the best way to do it.

‘The first cut of around 20cm, which had been suggested by the action group, proved impossible, as the flailing machine just ended up crushing the hedge.

‘But the contractors found that running over the hedge once, followed by another half-cut with the flail, meant the upper structure of the hedge and banque were left intact, protecting the wildlife and insects.’

He added: ‘The challenge now is to educate landowners to adopt this method, as if someone insisted that they wanted the hedge cut down to zero, then the farmers and contractors are obliged to carry it out, which I think is pretty disgusting to be honest, but we need to find a way to educate these people.’

The leaflet is to be sent out ahead of this year’s branchage which is due to start on 24 June.

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