§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what percentage of arable land on Scottish non-LFA farms will require to be taken out of production in 1994, on the basis of IACS figures, to avoid liability for penalties under the arable area payment scheme in 1995, showing(a) the standard set-aside requirement, (b) the penalty from 1993 and (c) any further area arising from the discrepancy between IACS statistics and previous census statistics submitted by the Department to the European Commission;
(2) if he will estimate the reduction in production of spring-sown cereals in 1994 arising from the arable area payments scheme penalty for 1993 and any further reduction in cropping that may be required to avoid a further penalty in 1995; and if he will make a statement on the impact of that reduction on the Scottish maltsters, millers and other cereal using industries.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 6 December 1993]: No arable land requires to be taken out of production in 1994 or 1995, nor is there a discrepancy in the statistics.
409WThe rules of the arable area payments scheme made clear that the total claimed arable area must not exceed the regional base area; and that any excess would result in penalties. The scheme is voluntary; and if farmers do apply there is no obligation to do so on all their arable land. They may therefore sow as much arable crops as they wish without setting aside any land.