Ploughing permanent grassland

[fastfish]

what are the rules concerning ploughing permanent grassland if any tia

 

[Badshot]

How long in grass?

 

[fastfish]

Was in arable reversion in els for 5 yrs and 6 yrs since

 

[Badshot]

Not sure on that. Maybe best to ask natural England, I had an eia done this year, no problem at all. Been grass for as long as I remember. They need to find 15 species per square meter for it to be classed as protected. If you've sprayed for thistles etc that's very unlikely.

 

[fastfish]

It's rolled over now so they won't find many species but it's next to an sssi which could be a problem

 

[Badshot]

It's rolled over now so they won't find many species but it's next to an sssi which could be a problem

Bit late to be asking then.

 

[fastfish]

Just wondering what if any consequences there could be

 

[neilo]

If it's already ploughed, I'd suggest that the last thing you want to do, is to ring NE for an opinion. Keep your head down.

 

[Badshot]

If it's already ploughed, I'd suggest that the last thing you want to do, is to ring NE for an opinion. Keep your head down.

Ditto, but the rpa will learn when he fills the bps out next year.

 

[beefandsleep]

But when he walked it all he could find was ryegrass and white clover with a dock or two so no problem?

 

[neilo]

Ditto, but the rpa will learn when he fills the bps out next year.

Agreed, but the damage is done now. I wouldn't be in a hurry to do their job for them by flagging anything up, IYSWIM.

Not that I'd advocate doing what the OP has without looking into it first, of course.

 

[Kidds]

What is the worst that could happen?
I guess they could/would stop money out of your subs but what if you don't claim? Sent to jail, fine, willy chopped off?

 

[neilo]

What is the worst that could happen?
I guess they could/would stop money out of your subs but what if you don't claim? Sent to jail, fine, willy chopped off?

I think, if they found/decided off their own bat, that it was in fact a 'species rich pasture', you could be forced to reinstate it, as well as all of the above.
I'm sure the OP has plenty of records to show that the pasture had been improved (sprayed/fertilised/limed/overseeded) in recent years though, and presumably, a record of the seed mix used if it was originally 'arable reversion'?

 

[Kidds]

Well, I could stand a fine as they can't take what you ain't got. Jail would be a bit of a pisser, not sure about the willy chopped off mind. Missus would never forgive me (that's worse than all the others)

 

[Pan mixer]

When I talked to NE about this they pointed out that if I had records of fertilizing (beyond a very low rate) and haymaking/silage records then the grass wasn't protected and an EIA was unnecessary.

 

[ISCO]

When I enquired last spring NE wanted to know if the land had been cultivated. This includes chemical cultivation by spraying or applying fertilizer, as my field had and I have records then they said it was fine to plough.
Would always enquire with NE before starting though