Rooker announces fruit, vegetable and potato authorisation system to be abolished
Minister for Sustainable Farming Food and Animal Health, Jeff Rooker has announced that the fruit, vegetable and potato authorisation system in England will be abolished from 2008, under the rules of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS).
This allows growers to use their SPS land to grow fruit, vegetables and potatoes without the area restriction currently imposed by authorisations.
The announcement comes in the wake of the recently agreed reforms of the fruit and vegetable sector of the Common Agricultural Policy.
In addition, land used for the production of orchard and nursery crops will become eligible to support an SPS claim. It may also attract the allocation of new payment entitlements according to criteria and at a date to be chosen by Member States.
Jeff Rooker said:
“I am pleased to announce that from 2008 the system of fruit, vegetable and potato authorisations will be abolished. I have been very aware of the difficulties these authorisations have caused growers.
“A consultation will follow on the other SPS aspects of the reforms, including when orchard and nursery land will become eligible under the scheme and the criteria under which any new entitlements will be allocated in respect of this land.”
Further information
Page published: 29 August 2007