Paragraph 1
As regards any grassland which is the subject of an agreement, including chalk downland—
The farmer shall maintain grassland and shall not plough, level or re-seed. The farmer shall not cultivate except by chain harrow or roller.
The farmer shall graze with cattle or sheep at an average stocking rate not exceeding one livestock unit per hectare per year, but in any event not so as to cause poaching, undergrazing or overgrazing.
The farmer shall not cut grass for hay or silage nor top the sward before 16th June in any year.
The farmer shall not apply any organic or inorganic fertiliser.
The farmer shall not apply pesticides.
The farmer shall not apply herbicides except to control nettles, spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock, broad-leaved dock or ragwort, or for stump treatment of cleared scrub. Herbicides used for these purposes shall be applied by weed wiper or by spot treatment.
Within two years of the commencement of the agreement, the farmer shall obtain from the persons or bodies designated by the Minister written advice on the management of scrub.