The Organic Farming (Wales) Regulations 1999

regulation 5(2)(b)(ii) and (iv)

SCHEDULE 2 STANDARDS TO BE OBSERVED

1.  The beneficiary shall not plough, reseed or improve, by use of drainage, manures or liming agents, any heathland, grassland of conservation value, including species-rich grassland, or rough grazing. The beneficiary shall not graze any such semi-natural habitats so as to cause poaching, over-grazing or under-grazing affecting the conservation value of those habitats.

2.  The beneficiary shall avoid localised heavy stocking in the nesting season on areas of semi-natural vegetation, including heathland, species-rich grassland and rough grazing.

3.  The beneficiary shall not carry out field operations, such as harrowing or rolling, on species-rich grassland or rough grazing during the nesting season.

4.  The beneficiary shall not cultivate or apply fertillisers to the land within 1 metre of any boundary features, such as fences, hedges or walls.

5.  The beneficiary shall retain traditional farm boundary features, for example, hedges and walls. He shall carry out hedge-trimming in rotation, but not between 1st March and 31st August in any year. The beneficiary shall maintain any stockproof boundaries, using traditional methods and materials.

6.  Ditch maintenance shall be carried out in rotation, but not between 1st March and 31st August in any year.

7.  The beneficiary shall maintain streams, ponds and wetland areas.

8.  The beneficiary shall retain any copses, farm woodlands or groups of trees.

9.  The beneficiary shall ensure that in farming the land he does not damage, destroy or remove any feature of historical or archaeological interest, including areas of ridge and furrow.

10.  The beneficiary shall abide by the terms of the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Soil, Air, Water and, where applicable, Pesticides, published from time to time by the Secretary of State for Wales or the National Assembly for Wales.