Cross compliance standard suspended to help flood affected farmers

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has extended the suspension of the cross compliance standard to enable farmers to use mechanical equipment and vehicles on waterlogged soil and access their crops.

The Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition standard, GAEC 3, prohibits farmers from carrying out mechanical operations and using motorised vehicles on waterlogged soil. The standard was put in place to protect soils from compaction and structural damage caused by using vehicles when the soil is too wet.

The Environment Secretary has the power to vary or suspend the requirement in periods of exceptional weather conditions.

In view of the recent weather conditions and flooding in some parts of the country, Mr. Benn has temporarily suspended the requirement until 31 August 2007 (subject to review).

Mr. Benn continues to listen to the concerns raised by farmers affected by the recent weather affecting many regions in England.

These concerns have centered around the difficulties posed by GAEC 3, which the Environment Secretary instructed the department to temporarily suspend the restrictions previously and has issued additional guidance.

Mr. Benn said:

At the Great Yorkshire Show, the farmers I met, and subsequently the NFU and other farming industry representatives, raised with me the problems they were facing including those caused by the restrictions on using machinery on waterlogged soil after the recent exceptional rainfall. I responded immediately by lifting these restrictions and by authorising the Rural Payments Agency to allow farmers to use setaside land for grazing of animal and harvesting of hay and silage.

Sadly, in the last few days there has been extensive flooding of fields in other parts of England. I have therefore decided to extend these restrictions on until the end of August 2007. I hope this will go some way to help farmers who have been badly affected.

Set-aside - Derogation to allow grazing on set-aside land due to flooding The Rural Payments Agency has already announced that they have made derogation available to allow land set-aside in 2007 to be grazed or harvested for animal feed. This derogation allows farmers to graze set-aside land with their own animals or harvest hay or silage for their own use. Farmers wishing to make use of this derogation should telephone, e-mail or write to the RPA Customer Service Centre providing the reference numbers for the fields which they wish to graze or harvest.

Additional Information

Land not in Agricultural Production (GAEC 12 land) can be used for grazing if farms are affected by the wet conditions and this is necessary for animal's health or welfare. In this case the RPA would not want claimants to notify the change of field codings. Farmers also have the option at any time to put this land into 'production'

and can then notify RPA at the time of their next SPS claim in the spring.

The situation is similar in relation to GAEC 9 (overgrazing and unsuitable supplementary feeding on natural and semi-natural grassland), where exceptional conditions exist and this is necessary for animal's health or welfare, these activities are permissible, but should be recorded on the claimant's Soil Protection Review.

During this period it is likely that Statutory Authorities or those acting on their behalf may need access to claimant's land following the flooding for such activities as watercourse clearance and emergency or remedial works, this situation is covered in the Cross Compliance Handbook 2006 (paragraph 206) which confirms that third parties coming onto farmland under their statutory authority such as for carrying out emergency works will not effect farmers cross compliance. It would be best if farmers notify RPA and record any soil damage on their Soil Protection Review.

Notes to editors

1. Cross compliance forms a key and non-discretionary part of the CAP Reform and puts in place a baseline standard for farming. It comprises two elements: Statutory Management Requirements, and standards of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC).

2. GAEC standards relate to the protection of soils and maintenance of habitat and landscape features characteristic of the English countryside. GAEC 3 prohibits farmers from carrying out mechanical field operations or using motorised vehicles on waterlogged soils.

The standard was put in place to protect soils from compaction and structural damage caused by using vehicles when the soil is too wet.

3. Cross compliance applies to all farmers claiming direct payments including the Single Payment and, as of 2007, claimants for new land based Pillar II Rural Development schemes.

4. The Cross Compliance Handbook and supporting guidance can be found on the RPA website at: www.rpa.gov.uk/rpa/index.nsf/home

5. A cross compliance advice helpline is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Agents can answer technical questions on cross compliance or tell you where to get the help you need. Cross Compliance Advice Helpline - 0845 345 1302. www.crosscompliance.org.uk

6. During the set-aside period (15 January to 31 August) set-aside land must not normally be used for agricultural production, including grazing.

7. The Set-aside Handbook can be found on the RPA website at:

www.rpa.gov.uk

The availability of the set-aside derogation, including details of how to apply, was announced on 11 July 2007. This announcement can be found on the RPA website at: www.rpa.gov.uk