Set aside ideas out of kilter with reality - NFU
As the EU prepares to scrap set aside under the CAP Health Check, Defra policy makers are drawing up plans to take valuable productive farmland out of production in order to mitigate for the loss of set aside's environmental benefits.
NFU East Midlands' combinable crops board has seriously questioned the rationale behind these options, particularly the scientific evidence to support the need for compulsory measures.
"These ideas are totally out of kilter with reality: the Defra policy-makers' proposals suggest taking a percentage of quality arable land out of production, which would have a disastrous effect on farms across the region," says board chairman and Lincolnshire farmer, Mark Leggott. "We could see large swathes of valuable arable land compulsorily fallowed at a time when we need to help the world feed itself. At a time when food prices and food security are paramount in politicians' minds, it seems madness that Defra wants to come up with ways of taking land out of production, which could ultimately contribute to further food price rises for our customers.
"Where has the information come from to say that the loss of set aside has impacted on farmland bird populations? Last year's weather will have done more damage than the loss of set aside; the decision to do away with this production management tool was only taken last autumn, so the likely adverse affects can not have been seen in just a few months!"
Mr Leggott went on to say: "These proposals will penalise the large majority of farmers already engaged in agri-environment schemes, the buffer zones around water courses proposal will be particularly difficult in this region where fields are often surrounded by ditches on all four sides.
"In addition this is another blatant example of farmers being tied up with more bureaucratic red tape: more regulations mean more complicated paperwork and less time to actually look after the countryside and produce food."
The regional combinable crops board is urging policy makers to take a common sense view by introducing voluntary measures so that farmers can decide the most appropriate vehicle to maintain the valuable flora and fauna of the East Midlands.
"We welcome recent press reports that food and farming minister, Lord Rooker is backing the farmers' concerns about compulsory environmental measures to replace set aside," concluded Mr Leggott.
