No gold plating of cross compliance says NFU
The NFU has said there should be no gold-plating of regulations in its response to Defra’s consultation on the proposed changes to the cross-compliance GAEC conditions in England.
The changes have been proposed following the CAP Health Check which was agreed in November last year. The consultation seeks views on proposals to introduce new buffer strips provisions, amend rules governing soil protection and fallow land, and introduce new requirements on abstraction licensing. In addition the consultation also incorporates proposals on the retention of the environmental benefits of set-aside.
Commenting on the consultation NFU President Peter Kendall said: "Defra’s proposals are a mixture of good and bad. We broadly welcome the proposals to simplify the cross-compliance rules on soil protection, which combine four separate rules into one. It puts greater onus on farmers to recognise and deal with the risks on their farm.
"We also see some merit in Defra’s proposals on the conditions that attach to uncropped land but believe these could go further to align rules on non-agricultural land with land which is in production.
"However we are concerned that Defra’s proposals on buffer strips amount to a gold-plating of EU minimum requirements.
"Defra has called for more simplification in the administration of the CAP. I agree that the CAP Health Check lacked real ambition in this respect. Bearing this in mind it is absolutely critical that what limited scope is available is not used to add unnecessarily to administrative burdens on farmers.
"This is one of the reasons why the NFU, CLA, FWAG, LEAF and AIC have all joined forces to offer an industry led approach to retaining the environmental benefits of set-aside. Our response illustrates the dangers of a compulsory route and we strongly urge ministers to move quickly to take a decision in favour of Option B in the consultation. We are genuinely committed to giving leadership on this option and to achieving real results."
