The new greening rules will benefit many farmers as the "most onerous" requirements are no longer needed, according to a farming union.
NFU Scotland has reminded farmers about changes to EU greening rules announced late last year in Brussels that will mean many will no longer have to comply with crop diversification (three-crop rule) and Ecological Focus Area requirements.
Greening, a major innovation brought in under the 2013 CAP reform, makes the direct payments system more environment-friendly.
Farmers who use farmland more sustainably and care for natural resources as part of their everyday work benefit financially.
New rules
The new rules state that farmers with more than 75 percent of all their eligible land in permanent grass, temporary grass or rough grazing are exempt from the three-crop rule and EFA.
Another rule change states that all farmers with more than 75 percent of their eligible arable land in temporary grass, fallow or leguminous crops will also be exempt.
NFU Scotland is urging farmers to make themselves familiar with the new rules and has pressed Scottish Government to update its official greening guidance.
The union is asking for the new rules to be made available ahead of the new BPS/Greening Scheme year opening for applications.
'Positive development'
NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick said complying with the three-crop rule and EFA requirements are "amongst the most onerous" of the Greening requirements, but he says the new changes are a "positive development".
“These changes will still deliver on all the environmental and biodiversity requirements set by Greening but give farmers some much needed flexibility,” Mr McCornick explained.
“That is hugely important following last autumn when many farmers will have struggled to plant winter crops and are making plans now for spring planting.
“The good news is that if they have 75 percent of their eligible area in grassland – permanent, temporary or rough grazing – then they do not need to meet the three-crop rule or EFA to fulfil their Greening obligations.
“With many mixed farmers planning for spring right now, we urge the Scottish Government to update its Greening rule book as soon as possible.”
