§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether farmers whose farms have been affected by foot and mouth will be permitted to make and sell forage crops on land which in normal circumstances would have been used for grazing. [HL1903]
§ Baroness HaymanGeneral guidance for growers of crops and grass was issued by MAFF on 30 March. A copy is on the MAFF websitehttp://www.maff.gov.uk/. On farms where foot and mouth disease is present, or is suspected to be present, farmers should seek the advice of the local divisional veterinary manager before undertaking any cultivations. In order to help the veterinary authorities make early decisions on individual cases, it is helpful if farmers prepare a schedule of the intended cultivation work and related machinery movements.
In order to protect entitlement to livestock subsidies, farmers who grow a forage crop are advised to read the eligibility rules set out in Annexes 1 and 2 of the 2001 IACS Guide. Additional advice on subsidy rules may be obtained from local MAFF offices.