Natural England
How much will be paid
5.65 per metre (m).
Where to use this supplement
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants but only with:
How the item will benefit the environment
This item helps control rabbits, protects environmental features and helps to manage habitats.
Requirements
You must:
- use galvanised, 18 gauge, 31 millimetre (mm) hexagonal wire mesh to construct the rabbit fence
- attach the netting to a pair of 2.65mm, high tensile, spring steel straining wires using galvanised netting rings
- make sure there is one straining wires at the bottom of the fence and one at the top
- bury the bottom edge of the netting to a depth of 150mm, or lap the netting on the surface of the ground towards the rabbit threat
- anchor lapped netting at 1m intervals
- make sure that all the materials meet the relevant British Standards - see copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance
Keeping records
You must keep the following records and supply them with your payment claim:
- photographs of the completed work
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- photographs of the existing site before work starts
Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.
Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this supplement
The following advice is helpful, but it is not a requirement for this item.
Use this supplement on a site where there is evidence of damage caused by rabbits, such as significant burrowing or crop damage.
Biodiversity
This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holdings situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.