Set-aside calculations (From Gazette & Herald)

Set-aside calculations

FARMERS throughout the region are being urged to double check that they have calculated their set-aside requirement correctly as new Government regulations came into effect at the weekend.

Following the introduction of the new Single Payment Scheme, farmers may now have to include temporary grassland in calculating the acreage of 'arable land' on which their set-aside requirement is based.

And according to DEFRA's new 'Set-aside Handbook', set-aside land must be established and have a green cover on it. This can be achieved either through sowing or by natural regeneration.

According to NFU senior food and farming adviser James Ede, failure to comply with the new regulations could result in serious financial penalties.

"English farmers over the small producer threshold and outside the upland severely disadvantaged area need to set-aside eight per cent of their 'arable land'. Those inside it should set-aside 1.3 per cent," he said.

Updated: 14:35 Wednesday, January 19, 2005