What the action involves
This action’s aim is to control invasive non-native plant species which are harmful to the environment.
The purpose is to support the restoration and maintenance of priority habitat and species by removing invasive non-native plants.
What you must do
Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.
To get paid for this action, you must:
- control the invasive species using methods agreed with your adviser
- allow native vegetation to re-establish on cleared sites
- monitor and record the impact of the invasive species control activity in years 1, 3 and 5 of your agreement (for example before and after photographs and the results of monitoring)
You must send a species management plan with your application.
When to do it
You must do this action each year of its duration.
Evidence to keep
You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.
You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:
- monitoring reports to show impact of the invasive species control activity
- bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work
- records of management activity on the action area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment (or similar) to show your woodland operations are compliant with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
- photographic evidence of your monitoring of sites
Where you can do it
You can do this action on eligible land where invasive non-native species are having a negative effect on priority habitats or species or could spread.
You can only do this action if you have a species management plan agreed with Natural England or Forestry Commission.
You cannot do this action to control native invasive species such as injurious weeds, bracken, gorse, rush infestations, brambles or nettles.
You should do this action on the same land as a habitat creation or management action. You must get approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer to do this action if you’re not doing another habitat creation or management action on site.
Eligible land
You can do this action on land that’s:
- an eligible land type
- registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
- declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover
Available area
Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.
Rotational or static
This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.
Consents and permissions
To apply for this action, you’ll need:
- a species management plan agreed with the Forestry Commission or Natural England
- consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
- Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
- to follow relevant guidance and legislation on treatment and disposal of invasive non-native plants
- get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
You may need to get advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land.
All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).
If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.
Capital grants that support it
If you need to complete an implementation plan, species management plan, or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.
You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.
