The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Machair of the Uists and Benbecula, Barra and Vatersay) Designation Order 1988

Article 4

SCHEDULE

PART I REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN AN AGREEMENT WITH A CROFTER OR FARMER REGARDING HIS TRADITIONAL SHARE OF THE COMMON MACHAIR

1.  The crofter or farmer shall not apply pesticides or herbicides, except to control spear-thistle

• (cirsium vulgare), creeping or field thistle

• (cirsium arvense), curled dock

• (rumex crispus), broadleaved dock

• (rumex obtusifolius), ragwort

• (senecio jacobaea)or charlock

• (sinapsis arvensis).

Any herbicides used must be applied by weed wiper, spot treatment or hand spraying only.

2.  The crofter or farmer shall ensure that no pollution due to the escape of silage effluent, sheep dip or other pollutant occurs.

3.  The crofter or farmer shall ensure in farming the land that he does not damage or destroy any feature of historic interest.

4.  The crofter or farmer shall obtain prior approval in writing from the Secretary of State before commencing the construction or significant re-alignment or improvement of vehicular tracks.

5.  The crofter or farmer shall use a grass seeds mix specified by the Secretary of State when undersowing or creating permanent pasture.

6.  The crofter or farmer shall apply to the cropped area of the machair at least one dressing per annum of seaweed, dung or peat, at the minimum rate of 40 tons per hectare for seaweed and 25 tons per hectare for dung or peat.

7.  The crofter or farmer shall retain a rotational pattern of cultivation on the unimproved machair.

8.  The crofter or farmer shall not cut hay or silage before 14th July in any year or before any other date which may be specified by the Secretary of State.

9.  The crofter or farmer shall obtain prior approval in writing from the Secretary of State before carrying out land based improvements or fencing on the machair.

PART II REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN AN AGREEMENT WITH A COMMON GRAZINGS COMMITTEE REGARDING LAND IN THE COMMON MACHAIR

1.  The common grazings committee shall not graze the machair with cattle or sheep during the seaonal grazing period at an annual average stocking rate exceeding 0.5 livestock units per hectare.

2.  The common grazings committee shall ensure that no pollution results from communally controlled activities.

3.  The common grazings committee shall ensure in farming the land that they do not damage or destroy any feature of historic interest.

4.  The common grazings committee shall obtain prior approval in writing from the Secretary of State before commencing the construction or significant re-alignment or improvement of vehicular tracks.

5.  The common grazings committee shall obtain prior approval in writing from the Secretary of State before carrying out land based improvements or fencing.

6.  The common grazings committee shall prepare and agree with the Secretary of State a conservation plan for the common machair in the township. The plan shall contain details of the following additional agricultural operations to be carried out:—

(a) any dune grass planting or other anti-erosion measures necessary to protect the machair;

(b) a programme of periodic maintenance of the existing watercourses;

(c) any measures necessary to preserve or protect particular wetland areas.

PART III REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN AN AGREEMENT WITH A CROFTER OR FARMER REGARDING HIS INBYE LAND OR APPORTIONED MACHAIR

1.  The crofter or farmer shall not apply pesticides or herbicides to the machair, except to control spear-thistle

• (cirsium vulgare), creeping or field thistle

• (cirsium arvense), curled dock

• (rumex crispus), broadleaved dock

• (rumex obtusifolius), ragwort

• (senecio jacobaea)or charlock

• (sinapsis arvensis). Any herbicides used must be applied by weed wiper, spot treatment or hand spraying only.

2.  The crofter or farmer shall ensure that no pollution due to the escape of silage effluent, sheep dip or other pollutant occurs.

3.  The crofter or farmer shall ensure in farming the land that he does not damage or destroy any feature of historic interest.

4.  The crofter or farmer shall obtain prior approval in writing from the Secretary of State before commencing the construction or significant re-alignment or improvement of vehicular tracks.

5.  The crofter or farmer shall use a grass seeds mix specified by the Secretary of State when undersowing or creating permanent pasture on the machair.

6.  The crofter or farmer shall apply to the cropped area of the unimproved machair at least one dressing per annum of seaweed, dung or peat, at the minimum rate of 40 tons per hectare for seaweed and 25 tons per hectare for dung or peat

7.  The crofter or farmer shall retain a rotational pattern of cultivation on the unimproved machair.

8.  The crofter or farmer shall not cut hay or silage before 14th July in any year or before any other date which may be specified by the Secretary of State.

9.  The crofter or farmer shall obtain prior approval in writing from the Secretary of State before carrying out land based improvements or fencing on the machair.

10.  The crofter or farmer shall not graze the unimproved machair with cattle or sheep at an annual average stocking rate exceeding 0.5 livestock units per hectare.

11.  The crofter or farmer shall carry out, where appropriate, an agreed programme for the mechanical control of iris (iris pseudocorus).

12.  The crofter or farmer shall prepare and agree with the Secretary of State a conservation plan for the land on his croft or farm lying within the boundaries of the designated area. The plan shall contain details of the following additional agricultural operations to be carried out:—

(a) any dune grass planting or other anti-erosion measures necessary to protect the machair;

(b) a programme of periodic maintenance of the existing watercourses;

(c) any measures necessary to preserve or protect particular wetland areas.