FCI calls on Government to extend the current hedge-cutting open period

The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI), the national body for farm contractors, is calling on the Government to extend the current hedge-cutting open period.

Exceptionally high rainfall has left many fields inaccessible, and operating hedge-cutting machinery in these conditions risks serious surface and structural soil damage.

FCI fully recognises the importance of adhering to environmental and wildlife protection regulations. However, given the exceptional and prolonged saturation of land caused by unprecedented rainfall, FCI believe a limited and carefully defined extension for flail hedge maintenance only, until 17 March 2026, is both reasonable and necessary.

Furthermore, FCI propose that statutory closed period from the 1^st of March to the 31^st of August would remain unchanged in respect of mulching and saw-type hedge maintenance.

According to Met Éireann monthly data, total rainfall between October and December 2025 amounted to 372.4mm. From 1 January to 24 February 2026, a further 318.1mm was recorded. Notably, almost the same volume of rainfall fell in January and February as in the preceding three months of October, November, and December 2025.

According to an RTE News report, Ireland has already had 111% of its average long-term winter rainfall. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Met Éireann climatologist Paul Moore said it was the wettest start to the year on record for four stations in the east of the country.

These sustained levels of rainfall have significantly hampered essential hedge maintenance activities required for health and safety purposes, crop preparation, and the stock-proofing of lands.

To assess the extent of outstanding work, FCI conducted a survey of its membership. Specifically:

• 25% of contractors reported that approximately one-quarter of their customers have outstanding hedge maintenance requirements.

• A further 25% reported that approximately half of their customers still require necessary hedge maintenance.

The findings indicate that a substantial proportion of farmers and landowners still require essential hedge maintenance to be completed. In all cases, this work relates to essential annual maintenance for health and safety, crop establishment, and stock-proofing purposes.

FCI Managing Director, Ann Gleeson Hanrahan, said:

“One of the greatest long-term threats to hedgerows and their biodiversity is the lack of regular, appropriate management. The extension sought by FCI is limited to routine annual hedge maintenance only, which supports secure stock-proof boundaries, protects biodiversity in Irish hedgerows and improves public and road safety.”