# The Arable Area Payments Regulations 1994, Paragraph 3: Cultivation of the Set-Aside Land and Replacement of the Green Cover


A farmer may—
(a) cultivate the land for the purpose of controlling weeds at any time on or after 1st May prior to the end of the set-aside period;
(b) make preparations for sowing and sow any arable crop or temporary grass ley on or after 15th July prior to the end of the set-aside period, provided that the farmer does not intend that any crop so sown should be harvested prior to 16th January following the end of the set-aside period;
(c) replace the green cover at any time provided that—
(i) such replacement is necessary—
(aa) to control any serious infestation of weeds or pests or the spread of any disease; or
(bb) for reasons of health or safety or pollution control approved by the Minister;
(ii) seed sufficient to sow a replacement green cover is stored on land which the farmer farms as a single unit with the land set aside before replacement of the existing green cover is commenced;
(iii) it is likely, having regard to the condition of the soil and expected climatic conditions, that sowing the stored seed at this time will result in the successful growth of a green cover; and
(iv) that seed is sown as soon as is practicable after the destruction of the existing green cover.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1994/947/schedule/2/paragraph/3 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/arable-area-payments-regulations-1994/schedule-2/paragraph-3
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.