NFU Cymru welcomes Assembly Government announcement on waterlogged soils

NFU Cymru has welcomed today's announcement by the Welsh Assembly Government that it is to extend the suspension of the cross compliance regulation prohibiting the use of mechanical equipment on waterlogged soil beyond 31 July. The cross compliance requirement which prohibits farmers from engaging in mechanical field operations on waterlogged soil so as to protect it from compaction and structural damage will now remain suspended until 31 August.

Responding to news of the extension, Perkin Evans, Vice Chair of NFU Cymru's Combinable Crops and Horticulture Working Group and also Pembrokeshire County Chairman, said, "I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government has once again taken heed of NFU Cymru's representations on this issue and has decided to grant a month's extension to the current suspension on this cross compliance requirement.

"This summer has proved exceptionally wet and I am pleased to see the Welsh Assembly Government taking a pragmatic approach to dealing with this issue. It is however very important that farmers continue to update Soil Assessment Record Books. We very much hope that the weather does now continue to improve so that farmers can catch up on their operations, however if conditions do deteriorate again then we will of course press for an extension beyond 31 August."