Cross Compliance
The term 'cross-compliance' refers to the requirement for farmers to comply with a set of Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and keep their land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) in order to qualify for the full single payment and other direct payments. The SMRs relate to the areas of public, animal and plant health, environment and animal welfare. The standards of GAEC relate to the issues of soil erosion, soil organic matter, soil structure, ensuring a minimum level of maintenance, avoiding the deterioration of habitats and protection and management of water.
The protection of permanent pasture is a standard of GAEC and Member States have to ensure that the ratio of permanent pasture to total agricultural area from 2003 is maintained. Where the ratio decreases to the detriment of permanent pasture, Member States must oblige farmers not to convert permanent pasture without prior authorization. Where it cannot be ensured the ratio doesn't fall by more than 10%, Member States must oblige farmers claiming the single payment to re-convert land back to permanent pasture. Where the ratio falls by 5%, an individual farmer obligation may be required.
All the SMRs and the majority of the standards of GAEC relate to pre-existing legal requirements that claimants should already be adhering to. For further information on the requirements please see the cross compliance publications listed in the Farmer Guidance part of this section.
If you need technical advice or assistance about cross compliance, please phone the Farming Advice Service between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday on 0845 345 1302 or visit the website at www.defra.gov.uk/farming-advice
Defra's Whole Farm Approach (WFA) online Cross Compliance Self Assessment Tool can be accessed by registering and signing up to the WFA.
Latest cross-compliance news and updates
01/01/13 ~ New 2013 cross compliance now online
07/08/12 ~ Don’t miss out on payments – complete the Soil Protection Review
19/03/12 ~ RPA - 'Cross Compliance failures cost farmers £2m plus'
28/12/11 ~ Single Payment Scheme (SPS) 2012 - Top tips from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA)
19/12/11 ~ New advice service to give farmers a helping hand
13/12/11 ~ Reminder to complete the 2011 annual review of the SPR 2010
13/12/11 ~ Transfer of cross compliance responsibilities from Environment Agency to the Rural Payments Agency
05/10/11 ~ RPA urges pig farmers to follow new movement rules
28/06/11 ~ New cross compliance regulations to protect against water pollution
10/05/11 ~ Farm Advisory Service launches cross-compliance quizzes
29/03/11 ~ Cross compliance breaches statistics out today
11/03/11 ~ Guidance for Cross Compliance in England: Management of Habitats and Landscape Featues 2011 edition
07/12/10 ~ User-friendly cross compliance guidance for 2011 being sent to English farmers
25/11/10 ~ Don't lose out on payments - complete the Soil Protection Review
05/05/10 ~ Cross Compliance updates to 2010 Verifiable Standards for England
30/04/10 ~ Cross Compliance updates to Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) 2, 5 and 12
29/04/10 ~ Cross Compliance update to Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) 1 - Soil Protection Review (SPR)
31/03/10 ~ RPA Publishes 2009 Cross Compliance Statistics
29/01/10 ~ Cross Compliance update to Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) 12 – Agricultural land which is not in agricultural production
Previous news updates
Page published: 22 January 2013