Reminder to growers that other Greening rules remain in place

NFU Scotland has welcomed the announcement that, due to the exceptionally poor weather last autumn and this spring, farmers will be exempt from complying with the Crop Diversification (three-crop rule) element of Greening requirements this year.

NFU Scotland made a formal request for derogation, in writing, to European Commissioner Phil Hogan in mid-April after discussing the matter in private with him.  Scottish Government also made a separate request.

With autumn plantings substantially down on the year and the cold, wet conditions this spring working against ground preparation and planting, the window of opportunity to plant and establish spring crops in 2018 has been narrow and meeting the three-crop rule for many farmers has been almost impossible. Although now late in the planting season, the derogation may help some growers whose planting schedules have been delayed.

With Scottish farmers and crofters required to complete their Single Application Forms (SAF) for all CAP schemes by 15 May, applicants are reminded that while a derogation from the three-crop rule has been secured, all other elements of Greening rules, such as the need for Ecological Focus Areas, remain in place.

President Andrew McCornick said: “There was a clear and justifiable case for the exceptionally poor weather since summer 2017 to be recognised through a sensible and pragmatic derogation from meeting the challenging three-crop rule element of Greening requirements.

“We are pleased that decision has now been made.  Although we are deep into the planting season, a derogation from the three-crop requirement may yet make a difference to some of our farmers. It is already so late for some parts of the country, that fallow may be a more economic option than planting.

“NFU Scotland has consistently opposed the need for the three-crop rule to apply in Scotland.  Designed to tackle monoculture in parts of Europe, the poorly conceived requirement for Scottish growers to plant three different crops to secure support payments has been exposed in difficult years like this.  

“In the future, we want Scottish farmers to be able to plant crops that are economically viable and most likely to secure a market rather than being obligated to plant crops late in the season that will be unsuited to Scottish conditions and difficult to harvest.”

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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006