AGF2: Maintain low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land

The following changes have been made to this action for SFI26 (compared with the SFI24 version):

• updated wording to clarify where you cannot do this action and which in-field agroforestry systems are eligible – this only applies to SFI26 agreements, not existing SFI24 agreements
• minor updates to standard wording which appears in all area-based SFI actions

This action’s aim is that there’s an established low density in-field agroforestry system that’s maintained, so there’s a combination of both:

• trees (including shrubs)
• arable or horticultural crops, grassland for forage or areas used for other eligible environmental land management scheme actions or options

The purpose of this is to:

• reduce soil erosion and flooding
• improve water and air quality
• provide shelter for crops and livestock
• contribute to carbon capture and storage

What you must do

You must maintain the low density in-field agroforestry system in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. This includes:

• replacing dead trees, where necessary to make sure the density continues to be an average of at least 51 trees per ha across the area you enter into this action in each land parcel
• protecting the trees from grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits, to prevent serious damage
• managing weeds around the base of establishing trees
• pruning and shaping the trees once they are established

When to do it

You must do this action from its start date, throughout each year of its 3-year duration.

Where you can do it

You can do this action on an eligible in-field agroforestry system on agricultural land located below the moorland line that’s:

• land with a ‘low sensitivity to agroforestry’ – these are the blue areas on the Forestry Commission’s map
• an eligible land type (as defined in section 5.1.1 ‘Eligible land types’ in the SFI26 scheme information)
• registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
• declared with a land use  code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

You cannot do this action on land with a higher sensitivity to agroforestry (these are the white areas on the Forestry Commission’s map). This includes:

• sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) or other sensitive areas which are listed in the guidance on forestry environmental impact assessments (forestry EIA)   - priority habitats such as species-rich grassland – you can find a list of priority habitats on GOV.UK

Rotational or static

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

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as:

• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices
• photographs and other documentation

If it’s not clear that you’ve done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.