Early EIAtips could have saved hassle

25 January 2002




Early EIAtips could have saved hassle

The government should have provided farmers with clear guidance on new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) rules much sooner, according to farm representatives.

Farmers across the country were this week sent a leaflet which explains how the scheme, which comes into force in one week, aims to protect uncultivated and semi-natural land.

Andrew Clark, NFU head of environment, said while it was reassuring farmers finally had some details, they had been given fewer than 10 days to get to grips with them.

"It doesnt give people enough time to figure out what it is," he said. "The problem is with this kind of rush many are saying what should I do? and a number of them are going and ploughing because they are in doubt."

The leaflet explains farmers must ask permission if they want to change the land use of unimproved grassland, heath, moorland, scrublands and wetlands.

As a guide it says grassland will be judged to be unimproved if it has less than 25-30% or ryegrass, and/or white clover or another sown grass species. If there is any doubt officials will look at agricultural operations over the last 15 years.

Projects the new rules will apply to include cultivations, drainage work, infilling ditches and ponds, increasing livestock stocking rates, liming and spreading fertiliser.

Edward Greenwell of the Country Land and Business Association said negative regulation was not the way to maintain the environmental value of the countryside.

"Environmental assets need particular forms of positive management, so there have to be incentive schemes to ensure farmers can meet the costs of active management. "

John Lomas, head of conservation in the Peak District National Park, agreed the impending EIA regulation was one of the reasons why farmers in the national park had ploughed up a total of 40 ha (99 acres) of land since Christmas.

The government took the unusual step last Fri, Jan 18 of stopping all ploughing of moorland and heathland in the park for 12 months unless farmers have special permission. &#42

But Mr Lomas said economic conditions and the fact that some of the land appeared on draft access maps must also be taken into account. "Its a combination of all of those. Farmers feel freedom of choice has been threatened."


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