THE introduction of a new rule, which will require some producers to grow three or more crops in order to qualify for full financial support, has attracted strong criticism from the industry.

The three-crop rule is believed to have been prompted by an attempt to eliminate monoculture farming, which is practised in some EU member states, particularly in Eastern Europe.

But many UK growers believe it is unnecessary and have predicted that it will not result in any significant environmental benefits.

The requirement, due to be introduced as part of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, is linked to one of the three pillars of “greening”.

Producers must comply to qualify for full Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) support and failure to follow the rule could trigger a 30 per cent financial penalty.

Despite pressure from the industry, it appears that the EU Commission has no plans to review its position.

It is anticipated that some producers may consider accepting the penalty, as they will be better off financially by taking this option.

The NFU has described the three-crop rule as “utter madness” and is urging the EU Commission to abandon plans for its introduction.

The North-East NFU office said: “The vast majority of farmers practise crop rotation or have built up sustainable continuous cropping systems.

“They have organised their businesses to generate efficiencies, moving towards block cropping, contract farming arrangements and share farming agreements – all of which are undermined by this requirement.

“The three-crop rule is also seen as going against the NFU’s core policy principles of simplicity, market orientation, and increased efficiency.

“It will push up costs, reduce efficiency and increase traffic on rural roads. In some cases, it could lead to negative environmental consequences.”

The NFU is compiling a number of case studies, to demonstrate the impact of the three-crop rule on producers.

Anyone who believes their business will be significantly affected and is willing to share their story is invited to contact their regional representative.

For the agricultural sector, winter and spring varieties of barley will be counted as separate crops. But for horticulturalists, cabbages and turnips – both of which fall into the brassicas category – will be considered a single crop.

NFU horticulture and potato board chairman Guy Poskitt is among those who plan to lobby decisionmakers to make changes to the classification system. He says a number of horticultural businesses are likely to lose out.

“I am not opposed to the three-crop rule in general, because rotational farming makes good sense,” said Mr Poskitt. “But some vegetable growers are going to be heavily penalised, simply because they have specialised and taken advantage of a niche market. The customer views cabbages and turnips as separate vegetables, so the rules should follow the same categorisation route, in my opinion.”

Crop diversification rule (details yet to be finalised): If your holding has 10ha- 30ha of eligible arable land, you must grow at least two different crops on your arable land.

If your holding has more than 30ha of eligible arable land, you must grow at least three different crops on your arable land. The largest crop must not cover more than 75 per cent of the arable land and the two largest crops together must not cover more than 95 per cent.

Producers can apply for an exemption to these rules for the BPS in 2015. There are three elements to the exemption process which relate to the crop diversification rules:

  • More than 75 per cent of eligible arable land is: permanent grassland, used to produce grasses (or herbaceous forage), used for the cultivation of crops under water (such as watercress), or a combination of the above, and your remaining arable land is 30ha or less.
  • More than 75 per cent of arable land is: lying fallow; used to produce grasses (or other herbaceous forage); or a combination of the above, and your remaining arable land is 30ha or less.
  • The applicant has new land and different crops.

There are two parts to this exemption, for more information, visit gov.uk and search for CAP Reform.

Defra is encouraging claimants to keep records of cropping patterns for 2014, if they anticipate that they will want to apply for an exemption.

Officials have stressed that the changes will not affect the submission of SPS2014 applications, which will carry on as normal.

Farmers will not have to apply for new entitlements, once the BPS scheme comes into force. SPS entitlements held on December 31, 2014, will become BPS entitlements on January 1, 2015, although values will change.