NFU Welcomes Use of Set-Aside Land for Grazing
17/07/07

The NFU has welcomed the decision by the Rural Payments Agency to allow set-aside land to be used for grazing in a bid to help alleviate some of the problems caused by the recent flooding.

The RPA announced last week that a derogation to allow land set-aside in 2007 to be grazed or harvested for animal feed is being made available to farmers. The derogation allows farmers to graze set-aside land with their own animals or harvest hay or silage for their own use.

The news followed Defra Secretary of State Hilary Benn’s announcement that he had lifted the GAEC 3 restriction that limits farmers’ access to waterlogged land with vehicles and machinery until the end of the month after listening to NFU representatives and farmers at the Great Yorkshire Show.

NFU Vice President Paul Temple said: “The news that set-aside can be used by farmers for grazing or harvesting forage is very welcome and will help provide some relief to farmers who are battling the effects of the recent flooding.”

Farmers wishing to make use of the grazing derogation should telephone, email or write to the RPA Customer Service Centre with the reference numbers for the fields they wish to graze or harvest. In these exceptional circumstances, farmers may consider that the derogation has been granted unless the RPA contacts them to confirm otherwise.

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