NFU success as winter livestock feeding rules are relaxed for agri-environment schemes

As the UK suffers a blast of severe wintry weather, the NFU has successfully lobbied for livestock feeding rules to be relaxed.

The NFU asked Natural England for a derogation to the supplementary feeding restrictions for livestock farmers in agri-environment schemes adversely affected by the Arctic conditions. It means agri-environment scheme payments will not be jeopardised by the supplementary feeding of grazing stock when ground is snow covered or frozen. A temporary lifting of the supplementary feeding restrictions also had to be put in place by Natural England earlier this year when the country was in the grip of similar freezing conditions.

Weather forecasters are predicting the current cold snap could last up until Christmas with further snow and freezing temperatures.

NFU national uplands spokesman Will Cockbain said: “Farmers will do their utmost to comply with the requirements of their agri-environment agreements. But at this time and with the harsh winter conditions coming so early in the season, the welfare of their livestock must come first.”