Paragraph 7 The Wild Bird Cover Option

(1)

In each field to be managed in accordance with the Wild Bird Cover Option, a farmer—

(a)

shall—

(i)

where practicable establish a green cover in accordance with paragraph 6(a)(i) of this Schedule; or

(ii)

where that is not practicable establish a green cover by sowing a cover comprising a mixture of crops of different types which—

(aa)

produces a mixture of crops which it would not be practicable to harvest separately;

(bb)

is not a mixture only of different types of cereal or of different types of brassica; and

(cc)

is not a mixture only of one type of crop and legumes, of cereals and legumes, or of brassicas and legumes.

and shall maintain it until it falls to be replaced as specified below;

(b)

shall replace any green cover established in accordance with paragraph (a)(i) above by sowing a new green cover in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) above, as early as is practicable during the first calendar year that the field is set aside; and

(c)

shall (where land is set aside for more than one scheme year) replace the existing green cover established in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) or (b) above, by sowing a new green cover in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) as early as is practicable either in the calendar year following that in which the existing green cover was established or in the calendar year following that; and

(d)

shall cut the cover in accordance with paragraph 9 below, unless—

(i)

the field is to be set aside again in the following scheme year; and

(ii)

the farmer does not harvest any of the green cover or permit any of it to be harvested or grazed.

(2)

A farmer shall ensure, when replacing the green cover as required by sub-paragraph (1)(b) and (c) above, that the requirements of paragraph 16(1)(a) to (c) below are satisfied.