Farmers can query moorland line

THE GOVERNMENT is giving farmers the opportunity to query where exactly the moorland line should lie.

Land classified as moorland will attract the lowest rate of single farm payment, so farmers are being offered the chance to check land is correctly classified.

According to the Rural Payments Agency, moorland should predominantly be semi-natural vegetation, or a mix of semi-natural vegetation and rock outcrops.

By semi-natural vegetation it means that the ground is covered by species characteristic of grassy and shrubby upland heaths.

The minimum sized area that can be defined as moorland – or alternatively excluded from surrounding areas is 5ha (12 acres).

Farmers wishing to make a representation about a parcel of land or field are being asked to contact the RPA. The application period runs from Aug 12 to Sept 24.

Any changes made to the line as a result of successful representations will not be taken into account for Hill Farm Allowance until the 2006 Scheme.

Estimated SFP rates are £20-40/ha (£8-16/acre) for moorland, £110-130/ha (£44-52/acre) for other SDA land and £210-230/ha (£85-93/acre) for land outside the SDA.