6m to 12m habitat strip next to watercourses (updated for SFI26)

What you must do

You must establish and maintain a habitat strip that: is at least 6m wide and up to 12m wide (on average in each land parcel) – it can be more than 12m wide, but you’ll only be paid for the 12m width buffers a ditch, river, stream or canal To establish the habitat strip, you must do one or a combination of both of the following: allow trees and scrub to regenerate naturally plant a variety of native riparian tree and shrub species You can remove soil compaction to prepare land for this action (if needed). Once the habitat strip is established, you must manage it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. This includes: cutting woody growth to create and maintain an open canopy along the bank so there’s dappled shade for the watercourse controlling the spread of injurious weeds, nettles or invasive non-native species removing cut material (when you’re cutting) to control woody growth or the spread of injurious weeds, nettles or invasive non-native species leaving any standing and fallen deadwood in place, if it’s safe to do so leaving any mature and veteran trees in place, if it’s safe to do so You must not do the following on the habitat strip: allow livestock to access it use it for regular vehicular access, turning or storage (for example, storing bales or machinery) apply fertilisers or manures apply pesticides, except for herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat to control injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, nettles or bracken create or maintain hard standing, boardwalks or closely mown access routes running parallel to the ditch, river, stream or canal In addition, you must not cut or remove vegetation unless you’re doing it to: control woody growth or the spread of injurious weeds, nettles or invasive non-native species maintain existing access routes that are at an angle of 90 degrees to the watercourse help establish the habitat strip on previously arable land You can maintain an existing habitat strip to get paid for this action if it: meets this action’s requirements is not already being paid for under another environmental land management scheme option, such as CS option SW11 (riparian management strip)

When to do it

You must: establish the habitat strip within the first 12 months of this action’s duration maintain the habitat strip throughout each subsequent 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.

SFI26 actions v2.0, updated 7 July 2026 — verified 1 Aug 2026. Open official guidance