How is the Single Payment Scheme evolving: 2008 set-aside rate
The obligatory set-aside rate for the 2008 scheme year has been set at 0%.
This means that farmers may grow (non permanent) crops or keep livestock on eligible land that they wish to use in support of claims for payment against their set-aside entitlements. Further information is available on the RPA website.
The environmental benefits of set aside
We recognise that set-aside has delivered some important environmental benefits and share the concerns of Natural England, the Environment Agency and others about the possible consequences if there is a substantial return to cropping of former set-aside land in the short and longer term. So, as Hilary Benn made clear in his statement we welcome the assurances from the NFU and CLA that the farming industry is committed to shouldering its full environmental responsibilities in relation to former set-aside land and look to them to deliver on that assurance. However, we will be monitoring this situation closely over the next few months and, if there is evidence of significant negative environmental impacts, we are ready to take action (for the 2008/9 cropping season).
Farmers are still obliged to meet the relevant cross compliance rules on their agricultural land including uncropped areas. These provide a greater degree of environmental protection for land not in agricultural production than the current set-aside rules. In particular, one of the standards (GAEC 12) prevents cutting of vegetation during the main bird breeding season and for a longer period than under set-side. “Spraying off” of green cover - a widespread practice on set-aside land – is also prohibited. Further details are provided in the Cross Compliance Handbook for 2006 (and supplements).
For the longer term, we will also be continuing with our review of Environmental Stewardship to consider the extent to which some of the environmental consequences of reduced set-aside might be mitigated by adjusting some of the options available under Entry Level Stewardship (ELS). This work was already underway in preparation of the CAP Healthcheck.
See also
Page published: 25 July 2008