§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to publish detailed guidelines on what constitutes a traditional orchard for the purpose of the Single Farm Payment. [HL4462]
§ Lord WhittyOn traditional orchards, the Commission has confirmed that the existing guidance on eligibility of land in dual use, while in need of updating, will not change in substance. But this refers to "grazed" land. This does not appear consistent with a decoupled scheme and we are taking this (along with a number of other issues) up with the Commission.
In the mean time we are pressing ahead and have commissioned the Central Science Laboratory (which has an extensive database on which to call) to draw up some criteria for such orchards that might easily be applied in the field. That project is now complete and will form the basis for criteria that we will have to test with the Commission. We plan to publish that work shortly.
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§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What rationale was used to decide that orchards planted after 1977 are not likely to be eligible for the Single Farm Payment, given that the grants by the Government and their agencies; have been given to plant traditional orchards since that date. [HL4463]
§ Lord WhittyRegardless of planting date, land used for permanent crops, including orchards, cannot be used to support a claim for the new single payment. This rule applies in all EU member states. But existing guidance from the European Commission (and it has confirmed that while the guidance needs to be updated, the substance will not change) does allow land in dual use, for example, traditional grazed orchards, to be used to claim subsidy in certain circumstances.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What criteria are used to determine how many trees per hectare qualify as a traditional orchard. [HL4464]
§ Lord WhittyCurrent Commission guidance allows member states a degree of flexibility in determining what criteria orchards might need to meet (which might include tree density) in order to be eligible to claim against CAP subsidy claims. While this guidance is in need of updating, the Commission has confirmed that the substance will not change. We have asked the Central Science Laboratory to undertake a project to draw up criteria we might use in future to determine eligibility of dual use orchards for subsidy and plan to publish its report shortly.