BFS1
BFS1: 12m to 24m watercourse buffer strip on cultivated land
£707.00
info Summary
Establish and maintain a 12m to 24m wide grass buffer strip alongside a watercourse on cultivated land to protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat. Livestock access is prohibited.
format_list_bulleted What to do
Establish and maintain a grass strip between 12m and 24m wide alongside a watercourse. In late summer, after the bird breeding season, you must cut part of the strip's width. There are prohibitions on livestock access, vehicle use, fertilisers, and pesticides.
schedule When to do
The grass buffer strip must be established within the first 12 months of the agreement and maintained annually thereafter.
checklist How to do
The method is flexible, provided all mandatory requirements are met and the action's aim is achieved.
description Evidence Required
You must keep written evidence that land entered into this action is at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff. You can use the soil management plan produced for CSAM1 or SAM1 to identify this.
You must also keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as:
- field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices
- photographs and other documentation
If it’s not clear that you’ve done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence.
You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.
tips_and_updates Additional Advice
Advice covers establishing the strip by sowing or natural regeneration, locating it effectively to intercept runoff, and maintenance strategies such as cutting part of the width in late summer to create varied habitats and controlling weeds.
View Official Guidelines
Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website
SFI 2026 Announcement
Read details about SFI 2026 changes, definitions, and what to expect on the Defra farming blog