# The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Shetland Islands) Designation Order 1993, Paragraph 12


The crofter or farmer shall prepare and agree with the Secretary of State a comprehensive conservation plan for the land on his croft or farm including any apportioned land, implement the terms of the plan and keep the operation of the plan under review. Each conservation plan will cover a 5 year period of the Scheme and shall–
(a) identify land and conservation features relevant to the requirements in paragraphs 1 to 11 above;
(b) if appropriate to the croft or farm, contain details of the following farming operations:–
(i) a grazing plan and other measures necessary to conserve or enhance areas of trees or shrubs and, if the crofter or farmer so wishes, limited planting of mixed species of trees;
(ii) a grazing plan and other measures necessary to conserve, enhance or extend areas of wetlands and water margins;
(iii) a grazing plan and other measures necessary to conserve, enhance or extend areas of herb rich unimproved grassland;
(iv) if the crofter or farmer so wishes, a grazing plan and other measures necessary for the regeneration and subsequent retention of heather, other moorland vegetation and heath on specified areas of rough grazing;
(v) if the crofter or farmer so wishes, measures to restore dykes, stone crus and planticrubs to standards consistent with conservation interests;
(vi) if the crofter or farmer so wishes, measures to improve the condition of features or areas of historic or archaeological interest;
(vii) if the crofter or farmer so wishes, the introduction or continuation of arable cropping in a manner which will conserve or enhance the environmental diversity of a maximum of 4 hectares of inbye land by–
(a) restricting cultivations such as ploughing, harrowing and rolling to the period between 28th February and 31st May or any date specified by the Secretary of State following consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage, except for root crops, where nests must be located and avoided during operations:
(b) not applying herbicides or pesticides on headlands of arable fields at least 6 metres wide;
(viii) if the crofter or farmer so wishes, the continuation or introduction of a system of conserving grass for winter keep which enhances the conservation value of mown fields by–
(a) removing, grazing by 1st June, or any date which may be specified by the Secretary of State following consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage;
(b) not rolling or harrowing the land after 31st May, or if required after any date which may be specified by the Secretary of State following consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage;
(c) cutting after 31st July, or if required after any date which may be specified by the Secretary of State following consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage;
(d) cutting in a method that causes minimal damage to young birds.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/3150/schedule/paragraph/12 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/environmentally-sensitive-areas-shetland-islands-designation-order-1993/schedule/paragraph-12
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.