Farmers urged to pass on CAP views before deadline

Farmers in England have just days left to make their views clear on the government’s CAP implementation plan , which includes the proposal of a 15% modulation rate.

The consultation period closes on Thursday 28 November.

NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond said: “It is extremely important that farmers respond to the consultation.

“People are extremely angry that the government is looking at transferring 15% of Pillar 1 money into Pillar 2 (rural development).

“Our environmental schemes are not going to kick in until 2016. We are convinced there is enough money at 9% to deliver on the commitments.

Mr Raymond said the three-crop rule could also create a lot of problems, so it was important that people explained their situations.

“As people have contracted out farms to contract farmers, there has been a good case for block-cropping where they may grow wheat one year and oilseed rape the next,” he said.

“But if through the implementation of CAP that farm has to carry three crops, people will have to move equipment three times at planting and harvesting. That is going to create many, many more inefficiencies.

“Also, livestock farmers who grow a few acres of spring barley for a bit of feed and straw are going to be expected to find a third crop.

“These are huge permutations which will cause a lot of management issues for farmers.”

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