The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Avon Valley) Designation Order 1993

Article 6(2)

SCHEDULE 3 ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS —II

As regards any land which is the subject of an agreement which is suitable for reversion to permanent grassland and which on 31st August 1992 was in arable cropping or had been in ley management for less than five years as part of an arable rotation –

(1) the farmer shall cease arable or ley grassland production and shall establish a grassland sward within twelve months of the start of the agreement using seed from species approved by the Minister;

(2) during a period of twelve months from the start of the agreement the farmer shall not apply–

(a) any inorganic or organic fertiliser,

(b) lime, slag or any other substance designed to reduce the acidity of the soil, or

(c) any fungicide, insecticide or herbicide,

without obtaining the Minister’s prior written approval;

(3) during each of the three years following grassland establishment, but not before 1st July in any year, the farmer shall cut the grass, remove the cuttings as hay and graze the aftermath;

(4) the farmer shall observe the requirements of subparagraphs (11) to (18) inclusive of Schedule 1 from the start of the agreement, and after the expiry of the twelve month period referred to in subparagraph (1) above, he shall also observe the other requirements of that Schedule.