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

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.