Set-aside OSR decision

27 July 2001

Set-aside OSR decision

PRODUCERS who grow oilseed rape for industrial use on set-aside land will be allowed to harvest less this year and still qualify for full set-aside payments.

Crops usually have to produce at least 70% of regional yields to secure payments. If not, producers have to make up any shortfall with rapeseed grown for food or risk losing set-aside income.

But appalling weather last autumn and early this year means the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed to slash the yield threshold to just 30% of the average yield for winter-sown rape and 40% for spring-sown rape. The decision was taken after negotiations with the NFU. &#42