New flexibility from the EU Commission has been
secured, which will help farmers increase the amount of
feed they can grow for their livestock.
The dry weather earlier this summer has meant many
livestock farmers have not had enough pasture to graze
their animals on, with some having to break into their
winter feed supplies early.
From today, farmers will be allowed to grow grass and
other edible forage in areas that are not usually
allowed for grazing.
This is after the UK government secured a derogation
from the EU’s Ecological Focus Area (EFA) winter crop
requirements, which stipulates that certain areas must
be left fallow or sown with crop mix that cannot be
grazed.
This is the latest in a series of practical solutions
to help farmers affected by the dry weather, including:
- Granting of 89 flexible water abstraction licenses
by the Environment Agency for farmers to safeguard food
production and animal welfare. The majority of
applications received have been approved.
- Publishing guidance for
40 Countryside Stewardship options which can
be adjusted for this year without penalty if
agreement holders notify Natural England by the end
of 2018.
- Waiving penalties for farmers who fail to
establish EFA catch crops by
20 August.
- Communicating to farming groups that they are able
to graze fallow land without need for a derogation.
Secretary of State said:
We have had one of the driest summers since modern
records began in 1961, and it is only right that we
do what we can to support farmers who have been
placed under the most pressure.
I am pleased that the flexibilities announced today
will offer some help to livestock farmers by opening
up new sources of fodder ahead of the winter.
I am also glad that we are continuing to discuss the
industry’s ideas for longer-term resilience.
The government will continue to monitor the situation
and listen to industry as we move towards the autumn
and winter months.
