Set-aside
UK - Although NFU is lobbying Defra to ensure all arable land in 2005 can be used for set-aside, there is currently an additional restriction on where a farmer can site the set-aside.
National
Pig Association  THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & Whitehall, and with processors, supermarkets & caterers – fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry. |
In the absence of Defra seeking to derogate from EU regulation, a set-aside entitlement can only be matched to arable etc land that qualified as such in 2003.
Put another way, one cannot use land that was in permanent crops, woodland, non-agricultural use or permanent pasture in 2003 to put set-aside on in 2005 or in the future, even though it may now be in a rotational arable crop.
Therefore, current advice has to be to stick to arable land (new definition), but as it existed in 2003.
Source: National Pig Association - 5th August 2004
