£4.00
info Summary
Manage both sides of an eligible ditch by cutting vegetation in rotation and limiting in-channel management to maintain varied bankside vegetation and provide undisturbed wildlife habitats.
format_list_bulleted What to do
Manage ditches by cutting vegetation on up to half the bank length each year and performing in-channel management no more than once every 3 years. All management must take place between September and late March. Do not re-profile or widen the ditch.
schedule When to do
The action must be carried out each year for the 3-year duration. If the start date is too late to begin, you have up to 12 months to start.
checklist How to do
You must follow the mandatory requirements to achieve the action's aim. Optional advice is available for guidance.
description Evidence Required
Keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as:
- ditch management 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 includes cutting vegetation high, working from one bank, leaving wildlife refuges, following water rules, and checking for consents. Guidance is also provided on rotational cutting, weed control, managing spoil from in-channel work, and controlling invasive species.
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