12–24m watercourse buffer strips on cultivated land

Where it applies

Arable, Temporary grassland

Eligibility conditions

• Below the moorland line
• Land you identify as at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff — keep evidence
• Alongside a watercourse (ditch, pond, river or stream)

What you'll do

Establish a 12–24m grass buffer strip along a watercourse on cultivated land, within 12 months, to keep sediment and nutrients out of the water. Keep an intact grass sward; cut part of the width in late summer after the bird breeding season; no livestock, vehicles, fertiliser or manure, and only spot-treat problem weeds.

Evidence to keep

• Written evidence the land is at risk of soil erosion or run-off
• Photos of the established strip with its parcel reference
• A dated establishment record and a late-summer cutting record
• Seed invoices

When

• Sep–Oct: Establish within 12 months (autumn ideal) (first year)
• Aug–Sep: Cut part of the width in late summer, after the bird breeding season

Combining with other actions

Actions that can be paid on the same area:

• SFI 2026: AGF1, AGF2, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, PRF2
• SFI 2024: AGF1, AGF2, CIPM1, CNUM1, CSAM1, OFC3, OFC4, OFM4, OFM5, PRF2
• SFI 2023: IPM1, NUM1, SAM1
• CS Higher Tier: CAGF1, CAGF2, CAGF3, CAGF4, CPAC1, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CSP20, CSP21, CSP9, CSW17, CSW19, CWS1, CWS3
• Countryside Stewardship: OR3, OR4, OT3, OT4