The Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Set-aside) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Replacement of the green cover and changing management options

13.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), in any period during which a farmer is required to maintain a green cover in a field or part of a field, he may nevertheless replace that green cover with another provided that the seed is sown as soon as is practicable after the destruction of the existing green cover.

(2) The seed to be sown to establish a replacement green cover shall –

(a) where the cover is to be replaced in part only of a field managed in accordance with the under 10 metre strips option, be seed of a relevant kind; and

(b) in other cases be –

(i) seed of a relevant kind; or

(ii) a relevant mixture of seed.

(3) A farmer shall, in respect of the field or part of a field where the green cover has been replaced, comply with such of the conditions set out in Part A of this Schedule as relate to one of the following management options –

(a) where the seed sown is seed of a relevant kind, the sown green cover option; or

(b) where the seed sown is a relevant mixture of seed, the wild bird cover option.

(4) Where a farmer replaces a green cover in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), he shall not graze any animals on that land, or harvest any crops produced on that land, during the remainder of the current year.