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3 yearsÌý

How muchÌýyou’llÌýbe paidÌý

£515 per hectare (ha) per year – calculate the hectarage by:Ìý

• measuring the length of the buffer strip in metres (m)Ìý

• multiplying that length by the relevant width (6m to 12m) to give the area in m²Ìý

• dividing that area by 10,000 to convert it into haÌý

Action’s aimÌý

This action’s aim is thatÌýthere’sÌýa grass buffer strip:Ìý

• with an intact grass sward throughout the yearÌý

• without tracks, compactedÌýareasÌýor poachingÌý

The purpose of this is to:Ìý

• protect existing landscape and heritage featuresÌý

• provide habitat for wildlifeÌý

• prevent pollutants, such as sediment and nutrients, from being carried in surface water runoff, ifÌýlocatedÌýnext to a watercourseÌý

• support an integrated pest management approach, ifÌýlocatedÌýclose to cropped areas, which can help to reduce costs and improve farm resilienceÌý

Where you can do this actionÌý

You can do this action on agricultural landÌýlocatedÌýbelow the moorland line that’s:Ìý

• an eligible land type (as defined inÌýsectionÌý5.1.1 ‘Eligible land types’Ìýin the SFI26 scheme information)Ìý

• registered with an eligible land cover on your digital mapsÌý

• declared with a land useÌýcode which is compatible with the eligible land coverÌý

You can also do this action on eligible landÌýthat’sÌýin a flood riskÌýarea. Check the and read the guidance on how to use the flood risk map. This can include land which may have flood risk management works carried out on it by a flood risk management authority, such as .Ìý

Eligible landÌý

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arableÌýcrops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixingÌýcrops	Ìý
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01	Ìý
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01	Ìý
Permanent crops – horticultural	Permanent crops	TC01	Ìý

Eligibility of protected landÌý

Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs): Eligible – you must: Ìý

• give notice to NaturalÌýEngland to get SSSI consent before the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) offer you an SFI26 agreementÌý

• have received SSSI consent from Natural England before you do this action (readÌýsection 10.1Ìý‘SSSI consent’Ìýin the SFI26 scheme information for more details)Ìý

Historic and archaeological features: Eligible – you must get an SFI HEFER before you do this action (readÌýsectionÌý5.3 ’Land with historic or archaeological features’Ìýin the SFI26 scheme information to find out how to do this).Ìý

Available area you canÌýenter intoÌýthis actionÌý

Total or part of the available area in a land parcel.ÌýIt’sÌýyour responsibility to check that the area you enter is eligible for this action.Ìý

You must do this action on the areaÌýentered intoÌýyour SFI26 agreement. If something happens which means you cannot complete this action on some orÌýall ofÌýthe area, you must tell the RPA in writing as soon as possible.ÌýRead section 12.2 ‘What to do if you cannot comply withÌýyourÌýagreement’Ìýin the SFI26 scheme information to find out how to do this.Ìý

Rotational or static actionÌý

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.Ìý

What to doÌý

You mustÌýestablishÌýand maintain a grass strip on landÌýentered intoÌýthis action that’s:Ìý

• at least 4m to 12m wide (on average in each land parcel) – it can be more than 12m wide, butÌýyou’llÌýonly be paid for the 12m width.Ìý

• on the edge of arable and horticultural landÌý

The grass strip must buffer an existing landscape feature, or certain heritage features, such as:Ìý

• hedgerowsÌý

• stone wallsÌý

• woodlandÌý

• ditches,ÌýriversÌýand streamsÌý

• upstanding historic and archaeological features, such as earthworks, in-fieldÌýstructuresÌýor buildingsÌý

You can alsoÌýlocateÌýthe grass buffer strip next to:Ìý

• trackways that channel run-off water directly into a watercourseÌý

• fence lines that form links between areas of wildlife habitatÌý

You must make sure the grass strip is in addition to any regulatory requirements relating to buffer strips.Ìý

Once the grass strip isÌýestablished, you must manage it in a way that canÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve this action’s aim.Ìý

During late summer, after the bird breeding season, you must cut part of the grass strip’s width next to the edge of the crop or fallow land. You must do this along as much of the strip’s length as possible. This is to provide some shorter vegetation and a range of habitat types.Ìý

Flood risk management authorities, such as , may carry out flood risk management works on the grass buffer strip ifÌýit’sÌýlocatedÌýin a flood riskÌýarea. Check theÌýÌýand read theÌýguidance on how to use the flood risk map. If this happens, you must repair any damage to the grass buffer strip as soon as reasonablyÌýpracticable.Ìý

You must not do any of the following on the grass buffer strip onceÌýit’sÌýestablished:Ìý

• use it for regular vehicular access, turning or storage (for example, storing bales or machinery)Ìý

• apply fertilisers or manuresÌý

• apply pesticides, except for herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat to control injuriousÌýweeds, invasive non-nativeÌýspecies, nettles or brackenÌý

You canÌýmaintainÌýan existing grass buffer strip to get paid for this action if it:Ìý

• meet this action’s requirementsÌý

• are not already being paid for under another environmental land management schemeÌýoption, such as CS option SW1 (4m to 6m buffer strip on cultivated land)Ìý

When to do itÌý

You must:Ìý

• establishÌýthe grass buffer strip within the first 12 months of this action’s durationÌý
• maintainÌýthe same area of grass buffer strip in eachÌýsubsequentÌýyear of this action’s durationÌý

How to do itÌý

It’sÌýup to you how you do this action, as long as you:Ìý

• follow this action’s requirements – these areÌýidentifiedÌýby a ‘must’Ìý

• do the action in a way that couldÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve this action’s aimÌý

You may find it helpful to read the ‘advice to help you do this action’, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.Ìý

Evidence to keepÌý

You must keep evidence to show whatÌýyou’veÌýdone to complete this action, such as:Ìý

• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoicesÌý

• photographs or other documentationÌý

IfÌýit’sÌýnot clear thatÌýyou’veÌýdone this action in a way that couldÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.Ìý

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this actionÌý

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.Ìý

Scheme	Action orÌýoptionÌýcodes
SFI 2026 actions	AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, PRF2	Ìý
SFI 2024 actions	AGF1, AGF2, CIPM1, CNUM1, CSAM1, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, PRF2	Ìý
SFI 2023 actions	IPM1, NUM1, SAM1	Ìý
CSHT actions from 2025	CAGF1, CAGF2, CAGF3, CAGF4, CPAC1, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CSP20, CSP21, CSP9, CSW17, CSW19, CWS1, CWS3	Ìý
CS options	OR3, OR4, OR5, OT3, OT4, OT5	Ìý
ES options	No ES revenue options	Ìý

If an action orÌýoptionÌýcannot beÌýlocatedÌýon the same area, you may be able to do it on a different area in the same land parcel. ReadÌýsectionÌý5.6 ‘Land that’s already in other funding schemes or grants’Ìýin the SFI26 scheme information for more details.Ìý

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action: Ìý

• SFI 2026 actions: CHRW2, BND1, BND2 and WBD2
• SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2 and WBD2Ìý
• SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3  Ìý
• CSHT actions: CHRW4
• CS options: BE3 (management of hedgerows)  Ìý

Advice to help you do this action

The following advice may help you to do this action, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

How and where to establish the grass buffer strip

You can establish the grass buffer strip by either:

• sowing a seed mix
• using natural regeneration

This action explains:

• which landscape features the grass strip is required to buffer (under ‘What to do’)
• that the 4m to 12m wide grass strip must be in addition to any regulatory requirements relating to buffer strips

You are required by law to have 2m buffer strips next to hedgerows. This means you need to establish the 4m to 12m wide grass strip at least 2m from the centre of a hedgerow. Read the guidance onÌýHedgerow management rules: buffer stripsÌýto understand how these rules apply to you.

Sowing a seed mix

Sowing a seed mix can establish the grass buffer more quickly, which can reduce the risk of soil erosion.

You can choose a seed mix that contains native grass species, such as:

• timothy
• cocksfoot
• crested dog’s tail
• red fescue
• smooth-stalked meadow grass

It can help the seeds to germinate if they’re sown into a seedbed that’s:

• firm, consolidated, fine, level and weed free
• moist, which will usually be the case in the autumn – you can sow in the spring, but you may need to increase the sowing rate, depending on weather and soil type

You can either:

• broadcast the seeds onto the surface of the seedbed to help germination
• shallow-drill the seeds up to a depth of 1 centimetre (cm). Small seeds may struggle to germinate when sown deeper than 1cm

If the soil is dry enough, rolling after you have sown the seeds can:

• improve seed-to-soil contact
• keep moisture
• reduce the risk of slug damage

Your seed supplier can:

• help you choose a seed mix that’s the best match for your land and local conditions
• advise you on an overall sowing rate for the seed mix you choose

Using natural regeneration

Using natural regeneration means the grasses in the buffer strip are local to your area. It can take longer to establish the buffer strip, but it may cost less.

To encourage the seeds that are already in the soil to germinate, you can cultivate the soil between spring and late summer.

Maintaining the established grass buffer strip

Once the grass buffer strip is established, this action requires you to maintain it by managing it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.

Cutting part of the grass buffer strip’s width

This action requires you to cut part of the grass strip’s width next to the edge of the crop or fallow land during late summer (after the bird breeding season).

It’s up to you how much of the buffer strip’s width you cut. Cutting up to half of the width from the edge of the crop or fallow land can help to provide:

• short grass for birds to forage in (such as grey partridge chicks)
• mid-length grass for species like brown hares
• long, rarely cut tussocky grass to give shelter and nesting places for birds and invertebrates

You can stagger cutting, so you do not cut all your buffer strips at the same time. during late summer. This will usually mean there’s always habitat available for invertebrates and small mammals.

Where possible, remove the cut vegetation to limit weeds and reduce the risk of it smothering the flower species. If this is impractical, you can finely chop the vegetation to spread it as thinly as possible.

Controlling weeds

You may need to control weeds when they appear. To control weeds like docks, nettles, thistles and common ragwort, you can cut the affected area, providing there’s still an intact grass sward. This action also allows you to use herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat weeds.