The Government has announced a set of new environmental standards for agriculture in England in a 'cash-for-better-environmental-practices' package brought about by the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with the aim of giving the nation a countryside everyone can enjoy.
In future farmers in England who share £1.7 billon of subsidies will be required to meet new 'cross-compliance' standards designed to give greater protection to the environment, soil, wildlife habitats, the landscape and, in a mould breaking development, countryside access.
Janet Davis, Head of Footpaths Policy at the Ramblers' Association (RA), said, "The RA argued strongly in favour of making public rights of way a 'cross-compliance? measure as a means of improving the dreadful situation with footpaths. While we were mindful of the effect this would have on landowners, only those who are breaking existing laws will be penalised by it. Currently some 35% of all of England's footpaths are difficult or impossible to use, it was clearly time for action."
To get the new single payment, farmers will have to keep their land in good agricultural and environmental condition, and meet existing Europe-wide laws on environment, animal health and welfare, public health and plant health.
Perhaps the most controversial element of the new standards is the introduction of 2 metre deep strips of lands acting as 'buffer zones' at the edge of fields to promote biodiversity, and to protect hedges and ditches from ploughing, cropping and spraying.
Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "We have agreed, following detailed consultation, a series of practical measures that will set a new standard for environmental performance for agriculture. They are relatively light, representing a mixture of common sense farming practices and support for existing legislation, helping to deliver a new minimum of environmental protection."
Department for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
