CIGL3
CIGL3: 4m to 12m grass buffer strip on improved grassland
£235.00
info Summary
Establish and maintain a 4m to 12m wide grass buffer strip on the edge of improved grassland, adjacent to features like hedgerows, watercourses, or woodland, to protect features, provide habitat, and prevent pollution.
format_list_bulleted What to do
Establish and maintain a grass buffer strip of 4m to 12m wide on the edge of improved grassland, adjacent to landscape or heritage features. The strip can be grazed but must not be cut for hay or silage, used for access, or have fertilisers or manures applied. Pesticide use is restricted to spot treatment of specific weeds.
schedule When to do
The grass buffer strip must be established within the first 12 months of the agreement and maintained in the same location for all subsequent years.
checklist How to do
The method is flexible, provided all mandatory requirements are met and the action is carried out in a way that is likely to achieve its aim.
description Evidence Required
You must 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 or 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 suggests establishing the grass strip by sowing a seed mix or using natural regeneration. It clarifies that the strip must be in addition to regulatory buffers, such as the 2m strip required next to hedgerows. For maintenance, staggered cutting is recommended to benefit wildlife, and weed control can be done by cutting or spot-treating with herbicides.
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