10 November 2006 - Ref 19/06
Set-aside Update and Cross Compliance Supplement issued for 2007
The
Cross Compliance Handbook for England Supplement for 2007, Cross Compliance Summary of Key Points and
Set-aside Handbook and Guidance for England 2007 update have been made available on the Defra and RPA websites and are being printed and sent out to Single Payment Scheme (SPS) applicants from today, 10 November.
The Cross Compliance Supplement details the three new Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) on animal health and welfare and updates the
Cross Compliance Handbook for England 2006 edition and
2006 supplement. It incorporates SMR 16, 17 and 18 which are essentially a restatement of existing legislative requirements that farmers should already be adhering to and thus will place no additional burden on the industry.
The supplement also includes a number of changes being made, and expected to be made, to Cross Compliance standards during 2007, due to amendments to domestic legislation. It also has a table linking common farming activities to key Cross Compliance requirements. The supplement has been developed after consultation with industry stakeholders.
The
Cross Compliance Summary of Key Points summarises the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAECs) and the SMRs as well as highlighting the key Cross Compliance dates in the year.
The Set-aside update is designed to be read in conjunction with the
Set-aside Handbook and Guidance for England 2006 edition and includes important information such as “How much land to set-aside in 2007” and some amendments and clarifications.
Copies of the
Cross Compliance Handbook for England Supplement for 2007 (ref PB 12276), the
Set-aside Handbook and Guidance for England 2007 update (ref PB 12275), the
Cross Compliance Summary of Key Points (PB 12277) and other Cross Compliance and Set-aside literature can be obtained from Defra Publications on 08459 556 000.
They are also available at:
www.rpa.gov.uk
END
Notes to Editors:
1. RPA is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It provides a range of key services in support of the department’s objectives, including making rural payments, carrying out rural inspections and livestock tracing. It is the single paying agency responsible for CAP schemes in England and is responsible for administering the Single Payment Scheme (SPS).
2. 2007 Set-aside requirements were updated in the Set-aside FAQ’s on the RPA website on 28 September:
www.rpa.gov.uk/rpa/index.nsf/vContentByTaxonomy/0EA94A9D88CE5CBF8025709200425FD0?OpenDocument
3. Cross Compliance puts in place a number of baseline standards that farmers are required to meet in order to receive their single payment. There are two elements: standards of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) which largely relate to the protection of soils, habitats and landscape features; and Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) which reinforce pre-existing legislative requirements covering environmental, public, plant and animal health and, from 2007, animal welfare objectives.
4. RPA is one of the control authorities responsible for inspecting and enforcing Cross Compliance requirements in line with EC regulations.
5. A Cross Compliance advice helpline is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Agents can answer technical questions on Cross Compliance or tell you where to get the help you need: telephone 0845 345 1302 or visit the website at:
www.crosscompliance.org.uk
Page published: 29 November 2006