{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/farming-with-nature-scheme-regulations-northern-ireland-2025/schedule-1/paragraph-3",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/farming-with-nature-scheme-regulations-northern-ireland-2025/schedule-1/paragraph-3.json",
  "legislation": "nisr/2025/101",
  "legislation_title": "The Farming with Nature Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/farming-with-nature-scheme-regulations-northern-ireland-2025",
  "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/3",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "3",
  "heading": "Eligible scheme actions; creation of riparian buffer strips",
  "text": "An applicant creating a riparian buffer strip must–\n(a) establish it–\n(i) alongside a watercourse; or\n(ii) alongside both sides of an internal watercourse;\n(b) create a riparian buffer strip that is;\n(i) a minimum distance of 2 metres from the edge of a watercourse; or\n(ii) a minimum distance of 7 metres from the edge of a watercourse;\n(c) erect continuous protective fencing adjacent to the entire length of the watercourse along–\n(i) each field boundary; and\n(ii) both sides of an internal watercourse;\n(d) install a gate and two posts to riparian buffer strips 7 metres wide every 150 metres, or part thereof;\n(e) ensure access to the watercourse for maintenance purposes is not obstructed;\n(f) complete all work related to this action by 28th February 2027; and\n(g) retain the riparian buffer strip for a period of at least 15 years beginning with 28th February 2027.",
  "extent": "N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Sch. 1 para. 3 substituted (25.6.2026) by The Farming with Nature Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/105), regs. 1(1), 2(7)(b)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2025/101/schedule/1/paragraph/3",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T00:25:53.048342+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}