Option 10 - Improvement of Rush Pasture for Wildlife 
What this is about
The aim of this option is to create and maintain a mosaic of rush and open pasture.
What this will achieve
This will encourage greater plant diversity and improved habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife. This will benefit Biodiversity Action Plan ( BAP) species such as Reed Bunting, and other species such as Curlew and Lapwing.
What you must do
Requirements
- Manage areas of dense rushes (i.e. where over 50% of the vegetation is rushes) by cutting and/or grazing each year;
- Between 1 August and 31 March inclusive, you must achieve an open mix of rushes and grass pasture, by cutting between a third and two thirds of your rushes in a random pattern, and/or by grazing to remove and thin between a third and two thirds of your rushes.
- Cut close to the ground and certainly under half-stem height. Cutting higher than this will have no effect on reducing tussock mass or vigour. After cutting you may graze or heavy roll the area;
- Avoid poaching or creating wheel ruts as this can damage the soil structure and the sward and encourage the establishment of invasive weeds.
Who can apply
All land managers are eligible to apply for this option.
How to apply
Complete Section 4 of the LMO application form and columns M and N in your SAF Data Sheet using the code LMOIRP.
Eligibility criteria
Areas of 'rush pasture' i.e. permanent pasture on poorly drained in-bye land that is periodically saturated with water and where large areas are dominated by soft rush and/or compact rush. Pastures with a significant presence of sharp flowered rush are excluded. Sharp flowered rush is often an indicator of more species rich wetlands.
Land receiving payments for similar management under other agri-environment schemes is not eligible under this option.
Rate of support
This is a 5 year commitment. We will pay you £100 per hectare per year. We will pay at the end of each year.
Inspections/Verification
The inspector will check the requirements of the option are being met (as detailed above under 'what you must do') by a visual assessment on the day of inspection.
You must comply with the requirements of cross compliance and the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products and you must avoid damaging or destroying any historic or archaeological features or areas (detailed in previous section).