§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they intend to take to ensure that farmers who have planted grass strips, and other cover, to widen their field boundaries and enhance biodiversity, are not penalised by a withdrawal of area payment, as envisaged in the latest Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) Rules. [HL484]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Hayman)IACS rules have always allowed farmers in the United Kingdom to use the full field areas which are shown on Ordnance Survey maps as the basis of their claims under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) provided that their fields are fully utilised. If this condition is not fulfilled, then only that part of the total area which is actually cropped can be claimed. The use of total field areas is of considerable benefit to our farmers but it can only be justified if the extent of uncropped areas around field margins, including the area occupied by any hedges which may be present, is kept within reasonable limits.
AAPS applicants have recently been notified about new guidance from the European Commission about the maximum width of field margins that is consistent with the use of full Ordnance Survey areas in aid applications. We recognise the concern that the application of the rules could in some circumstances have an adverse effect on the width of field boundaries and their biodiversity. We have, therefore, also urged applicants to seek advice about minimising the environmental impact of any action they may need to take in order to comply with the new guidance.