The Common Agricultural Policy Schemes (Cross-Compliance) (Scotland) Regulations 2011

Establishment of buffer strips along water courses

20.—(1) Organic manure must not be applied to any land which is situated within—

(a) 10 metres of any surface water; or

(b) 50 metres of any well, borehole or similar work sunk into underground strata for the purposes of any water supply.

(2) No field heap is to be located within—

(a) 10 metres of any surface water; or

(b) 50 metres of any well, borehole or similar work sunk into underground strata for the purposes of any water supply.

(3) Chemical fertiliser must not be applied to any land in any case, location or manner that makes it likely that the fertiliser will directly enter any surface water.

(4) Nitrogen fertiliser must not be applied to any land if there is a significant risk of nitrogen entering surface water, taking into account—

(a) the slope of the land, particularly if greater than 12 degrees;

(b) any ground cover;

(c) proximity to any surface water;

(d) weather conditions; and

(e) the type of fertiliser being applied.

(5) In this paragraph—

(a) “organic manure” means—

(i) livestock manure; and

(ii) nitrogen fertiliser, not being livestock manure or chemical fertiliser, derived from organic matter,

and includes sewage sludge and other organic wastes;

(b) “chemical fertiliser” means nitrogen fertiliser which is manufactured by an industrial process;

(c) “nitrogen fertiliser” means any substance containing a nitrogen compound utilised on land to enhance growth or vegetation; and

(d) “surface water” has the same meaning as it has in section 3(3) of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003.