Set-aside errors could bring serious penalties

Farmers throughout the region are being urged to double check that they have calculated their set-aside requirement correctly as new Government regulations come into effect from Saturday 15 January.

Following the introduction of the new Single Payment Scheme, farmers may now have to include temporary grassland in calculating the acreage of 'arable land' on which their set-aside requirement is based.

And according to Defra's new 'Set-aside Handbook', set-aside land must be established and have a green cover on it by 15 January. This can be achieved either through sowing or by natural regeneration.

According to NFU's East Midlands' regional director, Jack Ward, failure to comply with the new regulations could result in serious financial penalties.

"English farmers over the small producer threshold and outside the upland severely disadvantaged area need to set-aside 8% of their 'arable land'. Those inside it should set-aside 1.3%," he said.

"This is not new, but what has changed is the definition of 'arable land' - which now includes temporary grassland for the first time.

"With the deadline upon us, it's important that farmers check that they have interpreted the new regulation correctly and have calculated their set-aside accordingly."