DEFRA opts for 2m buffer strips

FARMERS IN England will have to take two-metre strips around hedges and ditches out of production to qualify for the new single farm payment.

The controversial cross-compliance measure was confirmed by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on Thursday (July 22).

The government has also set total modulation rates for 2005 and 2006 at 5% and 10% respectively.

These deductions from the SFP will be match-funded by the Treasury to fund the new Entry-Level Stewardship Scheme, DEFRA secretary Margaret Beckett has announced.

English farmers will also have to comply with a new set aside rate of 8% from 2005.

Mrs Beckett called the new package of measures a “light touch and common sense” way to set a new environmental standard for agriculture.

The main requirement will be buffer strips for farmers who want a share of England‘s £1.7 billion of agricultural subsidies.

No cultivations, fertilising or spraying within 2m of the centre or at least 1m from the top of the bank, in the case of ditches, will be allowed under cross-compliance conditions.

“In addition, farmers will be able to receive payment under ELS for positive management of their hedges,” said Mrs Beckett.

The proposed buffer zone options in ELS – 2m, 4m or 6m strips – would be in addition to those required under cross-compliance.

But those farmers applying for the hedgerow management options would already be required to leave an uncultivated strip, so will qualify for cross-compliance anyway, she pointed out.

“I intend to implement this particular cross compliance measure from the start of the main cropping cycle in July 2005, recognising that farmers have already made plans for the coming season,” Mrs Beckett announced.

She said she was prepared to look at a derogation for small fields under 2ha, and newly-planted hedges and will consult with stakeholders before making a decision, expected in autumn 2004.

She also announced that farmers in England will have an additional 2% shaved off the SFP over and above the 3% compulsory EU modulation rate.

These funds will be match-funded by the Treasury to provide £170 million to fund an expansion of agri-environment schemes in 2005.

This 5% total will replace the 4.5% modulation rate previously set and will rise to 10% in 2006 to reflect expected higher take-up of ELS.

“No decisions have yet been taken as to the rates of modulation and of Exchequer match-funding that will apply in England from 2007,” said Mrs Beckett.

“But, based on current estimates, the overall rate of modulation may rise further in future years.”

Mrs Beckett assured farmers that they will not face additional, unnecessary burdens and that cross-compliance measures will be enforced in a “cost effective and proportionate way”.

A new Whole Farm Approach will also cut red tape and streamline regulation, she added.

Other announcements include an 8% set aside rate from 2005 outside the upland Severely Disadvantaged Area (SDA).

The rate for non-moorland SDA will be 1.3% and there will be no requirement to set aside land in the moorland SDA.

No decisions have yet been made on the National Reserve or how cross-compliance will apply to common land.

Other cross-compliance details, which include the requirement for a “simple risk assessment of soils” are available on the DEFRA  website.