Paragraph 7 Eligible scheme actions; Arable – unharvested cereal margin between 3 and 12 metresF1

An applicant creating an unharvested cereal margin on arable land between 3 and 12 metres wide must–

(a)

not create it on–

(i)

permanent grassland sensitive areas; or

(ii)

a maize crop;

(b)

not apply–

(i)

organic fertilisers;

(ii)

inorganic fertilisers; or

(iii)

lime;

(c)

not apply plant protection products, except for the spot treatment of noxious or invasive weeds;

(d)

create it along part of or for the entire field boundary, where the main field crop is cereal, in line with normal husbandry practice;

(e)

create it in a minimum area of 0.1 hectare;

(f)

protect it from grazing and damage by livestock or machinery; and

(g)

ensure that it is retained until 28th February 2027.

Annotations

F1: Sch. 1 paras. 7-14 and cross-heading inserted (25.6.2026) by The Farming with Nature Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/105), regs. 1(1), 2(7)(f)