# The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, Regulation 17: Cover in winter

Extent: N.I.

After harvesting a crop of cereals (other than maize), oil seeds or grain legumes (such as peas or beans) the controller shall ensure that from harvest until 1 March in the following year, one of the following conditions is met on the land at any time:
(a) the stubble of the harvested crop remains in the land; or
(b) the land is sown with a crop which will take up nitrogen from the soil; or
(c) the land is left with a rough surface, ploughed or disced, to encourage the infiltration of rain.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2006/489/regulation/17 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/nitrates-action-programme-regulations-northern-ireland-2006/regulation-17
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.