NFU Cymru Welcomes Waterlogged Soil and Set-aside announcements

NFU Cymru has welcomed an announcement by the Welsh Assembly Government that it has temporarily suspended the cross compliance requirement prohibiting the use of mechanical equipment on waterlogged soil until 31 July.

The cross compliance requirement which prohibits farmers from carrying out mechanical field operations on waterlogged soil is intended to protect soils from compaction and structural damage caused by vehicles operating on soil that is too wet.

Responding to the news, Perkin Evans, Vice Chair of NFU Cymru's Combinable Crops and Horticulture Working Group as well as Pembrokeshire County Chairman said, "I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government has made this announcement today. As farmers we have endured weeks of exceptionally wet weather which has made field operations and harvesting very difficult. We are glad that this more pragmatic approach has been taken by the Assembly Government in response to our representations, however, farmers will still need to keep updating Soil Assessment Record books. If the bad weather continues then we will, of course, press for an extension beyond 31 July."

There was also some good news for farmers in Wales regarding set-aside. Following NFU Cymru representations a derogation permitting the use of set-aside land for summer grazing of cattle where heavy rains have ruined summer grazing pastures has been granted by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Perkin Evans said, "Clearly this is welcome news for some producers, but I would remind farmers that before taking any action they will need to contact their Divisional Office and explain their individual circumstances, as each application for the use of set-aside does depend on individual circumstances."

Also following NFU Cymru representations European Ministers have agreed a compulsory set aside rate of 0% for the 2007/2008 planting campaign. The announcement by Commissioner Fischer Boel of the 0% rate will go some way to helping EU farmers who are struggling to cope with the wet weather which has affected crop growth as well as harvesting operations and should also ease market tensions by increasing EU cereals production. This agreement will now be passed to MEPs for a decision before the start of the summer recess.