# The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Breckland) Designation Order 1993, Schedule 4: REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO UNCROPPED WILDLIFE STRIPS


As regards any land which is the subject of an agreement and which has been used in rotation for arable cropping since 31st August 1992 or which was subject to requirements relating to uncropped wildlife strips under a previous agreement—
(1) the farmer shall cease production on a strip of land either 6 metres wide or 12 metres wide at the edge of a field used for arable cropping or, in the case of a strip of land subject to a previous agreement, shall not restart production on the strip;
(2) the farmer shall cultivate the strip so as to create a seed bed not more than once a year, but not less than once every two years, between 31st July in any year and the following 31st March;
(3) the farmer shall not apply to the strip—
(a) any organic or inorganic fertiliser;
(b) lime, slag or any substance designed to reduce the acidity of the soil;
(c) fungicides or insecticides;
(d) herbicides, except to control nettles, spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock, broadleaved dock or ragwort. The farmer shall control infestations of these weeds by means of cutting or by the use of herbicides and shall apply herbicides used for these purposes by wick applicator or spot treatment;
(4) the farmer shall control sterile brome by mechanical means or by chemical means where a programme of chemical control has been agreed in advance in writing with the Minister;
(5) the farmer shall ensure that the strip is not materially damaged by the passage of machinery or by other means, and shall not use it as a means of access;
(6) the farmer shall not sow grass or other seed on the strip;
(7) the farmer shall not irrigate the strip;
(8) notwithstanding subparagraphs (2) and 3(d) above, the farmer may regularly cultivate and apply herbicides to any part of the strip which is situated not more than one metre from the edge of the area of the field used for arable cropping

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/455/schedule/4 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/environmentally-sensitive-areas-breckland-designation-order-1993/schedule-4
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.