[JoulesH]

Teabag
under the current agricultural support programme, in England, if a farmer is going to destroy any semi-natural /uncultivated land areas in excess of 2 ha, they must obtain permission from Natural England. Uncultivated generally means not grassland not being fertilised or sprayed, ploughed etc for 15 yrs, Semi-natural land includes species rich meadows. NE can then demand an environmental impact assessment. NE has the power to insist on surveying areas less than 2 ha too. However, unless the land or species present have special protected status then the farmer NOT doing this could lead to loss of support payment but not a prosecution. The farmer may have already started this process, but NE are the people to contact.