Defra considers environmental impact of 0% agricultural set-aside
Defra is considering whether any mitigating environmental requirements might need to be introduced in the short term under cross compliance, if the European Commission’s proposed 0% level of set-aside is agreed for 2008.
It is the Government’s long-standing policy to oppose the use of production controls in agriculture, such as compulsory set aside, because of their market distorting effects. We have therefore supported the Commission’s stated intention of removing this anomaly as part of the 2008 CAP Healthcheck.
Assuming the proposal is agreed later this year and comes into effect before the end of 2007, there is a need to consider what measures if any might be needed in the short term to mitigate its environmental consequences. The current review of Environmental Stewardship will also examine some of the relevant environmental concerns, but will not be completed in time for any changes to be introduced for 2008.
There is evidence that set-aside can bring about benefits for biodiversity and habitats in intensively farmed landscapes, especially for species associated with arable crops. It can also reduce the risks of nutrients leaching into water from ploughed land.
Over the next few weeks, we will work closely with our statutory advisers – Natural England and the Environment Agency – to examine the evidence for the scale and nature of the potential environmental consequences of the Commission’s proposal, and to consider possible ways to address them.
We will be engaging actively with farming organisations and other key stakeholder bodies, and will make a further announcement on the subject when these discussions have been completed.
Many farmers will be making decisions soon about the use of their land in 2008 and planning what to sow this autumn. We recognise that they need to know as soon as possible whether any new requirements might apply for 2008.
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Page published: 1 August 2007