DEFRA secretary Hilary Benn has announced an immediate programme of environmental monitoring of farmland following the EU agriculture council's decision to set a 0% rate of set-aside for 2008.

Mr Benn said that monitoring will be established  to assess what happens on the ground in the next few months and to provide a firmer basis for future action.

If there is evidence of significant environmental impact - including on the bird population - the government will look at what action to take.

"I share the concerns which Natural England, the Environment Agency and environmental and conservation groups - including the RSPB - have raised about the possible consequences if there is a substantial return to cropping of set-aside land," he said.

"And I welcome the assurances given by the NFU and Country Land and Business Association that the farming industry is committed to shouldering its full environmental responsibilities in relation to all the land that it manages.

"I want the farming industry to be in no doubt that I am looking for them to demonstrate that they can deliver on this assurance.   We are committed to monitoring this situation closely, and if significant environmental impact does occur, then I am ready to make an early announcement about the action to be taken."

Mr Benn said he had made clear to the EU Commission the importance of finding ways to preserve the environmental benefits of set-aside, if it is abolished as part of the Common Agricultural Policy "health check", a move which the UK has long advocated to reduce unnecessary production controls.