The Earl of Balfourasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they propose to implement the EU Commission regulation authorising the UK to permit cattle aged over 30 months to graze on set-aside land.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (The Earl of Lindsay)I welcome the Commission's agreement to our request to allow cattle to graze set-aside land in view of the difficulties currently facing our cattle farmers. The relevant Commission regulation, which is expected to come into force shortly and will run until 31st August, requires the UK authorities to take the measures necessary to ensure that only cattle aged over 30 months are permitted to graze set-aside and that the existing rules restricting lucrative use of set-aside land are observed. We shall therefore be laying before Parliament a Statutory Instrument subject to negative resolution procedure which will require those farmers wishing to take advantage of this facility to return a simple form to the Agriculture Departments. The Instrument will also 127WA enable authorised persons to inspect cattle on set-aside land to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Producers may allow another farmer's cattle to graze their set-aside but they may not receive any payment in cash or kind for the use of the set-aside as grazing.
We will be writing to all cattle farmers early next week explaining how they can take advantage of this provision. Farmers should not begin to graze cattle on set-aside until receipt of their notification form has been acknowledged by the Agriculture Departments as to do so would jeopardise set-aside payments and associated crop area aid payments.