The NFU has given a cautious welcome to the Government’s plan to keep the Environmental Stewardship and Hill Farm Allowance schemes open for new applications as attempts to sort out the controversy surrounding delays to the next Rural Development Programme for England and voluntary modulation regulation continue.
But it expressed disappointment that no new applications would be accepted under the Energy Crops Scheme during the first part of next year.
The news came in a written statement by David Miliband about the contingency arrangements for the delay to the start of the RDP for England 2007-13.
An NFU spokesman said the Government needed to take steps to ensure farmers’ positions were safeguarded if any changes were needed to 2007 agri-environment agreements.
“While we’re happy that the land management schemes remain open, especially HFA and ELS, the news that no new applications will be accepted for the Energy Crops Scheme in the first part of 2007 is very disappointing and we sincerely hope the scheme will be reopened to new applicants in the summer.
“We also need to look carefully at the nature of the provisional agreement Defra intends to award ES applicants post January 1, particularly if agreements may have to be amended in the light of any changes caused by the EU approval process.
“We hope the Government can reach a settlement of voluntary modulation regulation that is acceptable to all sides as soon as possible, but the farming community must not suffer as a result.”
No comments have been made.