Part Option 2—Reversion of arable land to wet grassland

As regards any land which is the subject of an agreement, which is suitable for reversion from arable land to wet grassland and which on 31st December 1993 was in arable cropping or had been in ley management for less than 5 years as part of an arable rotation—

(1)

the farmer shall cease arable and ley grassland production and shall establish a grassland sward within 7 months of the start of the agreement using seed from species approved by the Minister;

(2)

during the 7 month period referred to in paragraph (1)

above, the farmer shall not apply—

(a)

any organic or inorganic fertiliser;

(b)

lime, slag or any other substance designed to reduce the acidity of the soil; or

(c)

any fungicide, insecticide or herbicide

without obtaining the Minister’s prior written approval;

(3)

during each of the three years following grassland establishment, the farmer shall cut the grass, remove the cuttings and graze the aftermath;

(4)

the farmer shall observe the requirements of sub-paragraphs (9)-(18) of Schedule 1 from the start of the agreement, and after the expiry of the 7 month period referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above, he shall in addition observe the other requirements of that Schedule as well as the provisions of Schedule 3.