Rural Payments and Services

New ‘greening’ guidance for CAP 2018 has been published by Rural
Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing.

The new guidance, which has been endorsed by Professor Russel
Griggs’s expert group and includes changes introduced by the European
Commission’s simplification agenda, provides further flexibility for farmers
and crofters to mitigate the impact of farming on the environment including:

• The inclusion of hedges and Agro forestry as Ecological Focus
Area (EFA)

• Changes to the management of EFA fallow regarding the maintenance of drains

• Banning the use of Plant Protection Products, such as pesticides and
herbicides on EFA

• The merging of some EFA features such as field margins and buffer strips

Under CAP, it is mandatory for applicants to the Basic Payment
Scheme to comply with ‘greening’ requirements, where relevant on their land in
return of receiving additional payment.

Mr Ewing said:

“As the Scottish Government has repeatedly made clear, we are
absolutely committed to finding a balance between protecting our natural
environment while not disproportionately burdening our farmers.

“Having listened to the concerns raised by industry and
considered these very carefully, I am pleased that our new guidelines will
reward and incentivise sustainable farming practices from next year.

“These changes simplify the management of Ecological Focus Areas
and will provide farmers with increased flexibility to manage their land in an
environmentally friendly way.”

Prof Griggs said:

“In recent months I have personally visited a number of farmers
who are required to implement the Basic Payment Scheme Greening rules and
stakeholders that have an interest in the outcomes for the environment.

“I am pleased that with this input and constructive dialogue,
that my group has agreed detailed implementation rules that will allow farmers
to meet greening obligations while introducing flexibility to allow them to
farm successfully and continue to deliver environmental objectives.”