BC3: Crop protection fencing mesh and wire for permanent crops
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-08)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for beaver protection infrastructure item

This item is part of Protection and Infrastructure grants 2025. You must read the Protection and Infrastructure grants 2025 guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025) to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£6.34 per metre (m).

How this item benefits the environment

This item helps:

beavers remain on river catchments

mitigate against the foraging activity of beavers

Where you can use this item

You can use this item:

where there’s evidence of beaver activity within the river catchment area you’re protecting – see section 2.1.2 of the Protection and Infrastructure guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025/applicants-guide-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025#about-protection-and-infrastructure) for a list of catchment areas

to protect permanent crops within 100m of a waterbody or watercourse where beavers are foraging or there is strong likelihood of foraging – see the 2024 land use codes (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rural-payments-land-use-codes-2024) for more information

Cricket bat willow is an eligible permanent crop for this item.

You cannot use this item on historic or archaeological features as identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (https://hefer-data.org.uk/) (HEFER).

What you must do to use this item

You must:

remove old fencing before erecting new fencing

use wire mesh fencing between 0.9m and 1.5m high so beavers cannot get above it

use galvanised that’s at least 18 gauge and 31 millimetres (mm) hexagonal wire mesh to construct the fence

attach netting to a pair of 2.65mm, high tensile, spring steel straining wires using galvanised netting rings

make sure there’s one straining wire at the bottom of the fence and one at the top

bury the bottom edge of the netting to a depth of 150mm or lap the netting on the surface of the ground towards the water body or water course

anchor netting at 1m intervals if lapping (folding over)

Attach new fencing to existing fencing posts if both of the following apply:

you have fencing that was previously funded through Countryside Stewardship

it’s 5 years from the start date of your agreement. You must maintain the item being funded to the agreed standard during this period

You can use the existing posts and strengthen or improve with new posts where required.

You may need consent from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority or internal drainage board before starting any work. Read guidance on owning a watercourse (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/owning-a-watercourse) for more information.

You must not:

attach the fence to trees or hedgerows

use electric fencing

block or restrict access to open access land

install fencing on historic or archaeological features

install fencing that’s located close to a watercourse or across a watercourse without a relevant permit

Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide with your application:

a map to confirm location of works

any advice or consents from the relevant body if needed

a photograph of the site before the work starts

You must also keep and provide with your claim:

a photograph of completed works

receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is not available

consents or permissions connected with the work

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025) for more information.

Other items you can use with this item

You can use this item with these items:

BC4 Tree Guard Post and wire (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/bc4-tree-guard-post-and-wire)

BC5: Expert dam management (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/bc5-expert-dam-management)

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements

Check to make sure the work meets relevant British Standards (https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/products-and-services/standards/).

Call Natural England’s enquiry line if you have questions about beaver activity on your land. They’ll direct you to the most appropriate advice.

Phone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)