NFU calls on Defra to clear barriers to Environmental Stewardship
30/03/05

The NFU has called on Defra to ensure that as many farmers as possible can apply for Environmental Stewardship.

In a letter to Defra Junior Minister, Elliot Morley, the NFU has highlighted some farmers' frustration at the continuing delays registering land on the Rural Land Register (RLR).

The NFU has asked that Defra and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) devote more staff time to land registration and remove the existing pre-requisite that all land must be registered on the RLR before it can be included on an application to the new Stewardship scheme.

NFU North West Regional Management Board Chairman, Peter Allen, said: "Farmers are keen to apply for the Entry Level Stewardship scheme and many want their agreements starting in August. We are asking Defra to be flexible and remove the barrier standing in the way of farmers applying in time for the August start date.

"Environmental Stewardship schemes will play a vital role in farm businesses following decoupling and will help the industry provide the environmental management of the land that the public demands."