New environment secretary Liz Truss has called on the European Commission to review the controversial three-crop rule.
Defra today announced further details of what the new Common Agricultural Policy greening rules mean for English farmers and growers, and claimed it is doing all it can to “make them as simple and straightforward to implement.”
The three-crop rule has been widely derided within the horticultural sector, and in a bid to minimise disruption to businesses Defra has set a two-month inspection window of May to June for the five per cent of farms that will be inspected.
Defra said that should cover the vast majority of crops in England. In the case of any crops harvested before 30 June, stubble will count as evidence that a crop has been grown. The government says it is also pushing for more evidence to be acceptable, such as physical signs or organic matter in the soil, photographs or other records.
Ministers have committed to working with the industry to explore exceptions for late-sown crops or those with very short growing periods, Defra added.
“I want farmers and growers to be able to play their part in boosting exports, increasing self-sufficiency and ensuring that as many people as possible, from patients in hospital to hard-pressed families doing the weekly shop, are able to enjoy fresh, local and tasty food,” said Truss.
”I will press the Commission for increased clarity and flexibility on greening, including a review of the three-crop rule. I will champion the interests of our farmers so that they can continue to concentrate on what they do best – producing top-quality, world-class food.
Under the new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), greening will account for around 30 per cent of claimants’ direct payments. Defra is also encouraging farmers to consider the opportunities available to attract bees and pollinators to their land as part of the newCAP rules.Defra said it is still waiting for final details on the hedge requirements.
NFU president Meurig Raymond said that while Defra’s latest guidance offered much-needed information for growers who are about to plant, there were still a number of areas lacking in detail.
“We have held around 40 events, attended by more than 2,000 farmer members to look at this issue – and as a result we have fed-in more than 100 questions and concerns on the outstanding detail to Defra,” said Raymond. “I am pleased to see we now have further information on what is an extremely complex policy area.
“However, I am hugely frustrated that we still don’t have practical clarity over how all hedges, which are part of ecological focus areas, are measured. This means farmers still have a challenge in knowing exactly whatthe rules are if they wish to use this EFA feature which they have on farm.
“A lack of timely guidance from the EC seems to be significantly hindering Defra’s ability to implement a full set of scheme rules at this time. I would urge the Commission to put this right so that farmers have the clarity and guidance tomake necessary, practical business decisions.”
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