The government has confirmed it is to consult on plans to introduce a replacement for set-aside.

In a keynote speech to NFU Conference, DEFRA Secretary Hilary Benn he wanted farmers to manage a proportion of the land for the environment.

He will consider a voluntary approach alongside mandatory options when making a final decision on the scheme due to replace set-aside next year.

“Farmers care for the environment out of their respect for the land,” Mr Benn told delegates at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole on Monday (16 February).

“We’re working together to see how we can best retain the environmental benefits of set-aside while settling on a better approach for farmers.”

NFU president Peter Kendall said the union had proposed the voluntary alternative to the new scheme.

Mr Benn had promised that voluntary measures would be seriously considered and would form part of a public consultation later this year, he added.

Compulsory cross-compliance measures to replace set-aside would be in plain contradiction to DEFRA’s previously stated policy goals, said Mr Kendall.

“In our view, it will turn farmers off Entry Level Stewardship and will lead many to decide not to renew in 2010.

“The government’s flagship will sink and that will threaten all the environmental benefits that ELS promises to deliver.”

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