The Common Agricultural Policy (Cross-Compliance) (Scotland) Regulations 2014

Establishment of buffer strips along water coursesS

This section has no associated Policy Notes

1.—(1) Organic manure must not be applied to any land which is situated within—

(a)10 metres of any surface water; or

(b)50 metres of any well, borehole or similar work sunk into underground strata for the purposes of any water supply.

(2) No field heap is to be located within [F1, or on any land in a manner which will likely result in organic manure being located within,] —

(a)10 metres of any surface water; or

(b)50 metres of any well, borehole or similar work sunk into underground strata for the purposes of any water supply.

(3) Nitrogen fertiliser must not be applied to any land if there is a significant risk of nitrogen entering surface water, taking into account—

(a)the slope of the land, particularly if greater than 12 degrees;

(b)any ground cover;

(c)the proximity of the land to any surface water;

(d)weather conditions; and

(e)the type of fertiliser being applied.

(4) Chemical fertiliser must not be applied to any land in any case, location or manner that makes it likely that the fertiliser will directly enter any surface water.

(5) Except where sub-paragraph (6) [F2or (7)] applies, the cultivation of land or the direct application of pesticides must not take place within 2 metres of the top of the bank of any surface water.

[F3(6) This sub-paragraph applies where pesticides are applied to land to control—

(a)injurious weeds to which the Weeds Act 1959 applies;

(b)invasive species; or

(c)if the prior written consent of the Scottish Ministers has been given, other plant species.]

[F4(7) This sub-paragraph applies where the cultivation of land takes place for the purpose of establishing—

(a)a green cover on that land, where it does not already have a green cover; or

(b)a hedge (as defined in paragraph 7(7)(a)) during the relevant period.]

[F5(8) In this paragraph, “field heap” means a store or stack of organic manure which is a freestanding heap which does not slump or produce free draining liquid from within the stacked material.]

Textual Amendments