Mr. Padraic Joyce:

On inward growing hedgerows, if a farmer does not get around to cutting a hedgerow for five years, depending on weather conditions, it will grow out further. The farmer could then have a penalty imposed on his or her basic payment. If the window for cutting is extended, farmers will have a better chance to get the work done. Many farmers cannot afford to buy a hedge-cutter and have to get in a contractor who may work for many farmers and might not be able to get to cut all of the hedges required to be cut.