Reminder of changes to EU greening rules

UNION: NFU Scotland presses Scottish Government to update greening guidance

Farmers are reminded of beneficial revisions to EU greening rules.

The positive changes mean many will no longer have to comply with crop diversification – the three-crop rule – and Ecological Focus Area (EFA) requirements.

The new rules state farmers with more than 75% of all their eligible land in permanent grass, temporary grass or rough grazing are exempt from the three-crop rule and EFA.

Another change means all farmers with more than 75% of their eligible arable land in temporary grass, fallow or leguminous crops will also be exempt.

Farmers union NFU Scotland has urged farmers to make themselves familiar with the new rules and has pressed the Scottish Government to update its official greening guidance.

Union president Andrew Mccornick said: “Complying with the three-crop rule and EFA requirements are among the most onerous of the greening requirements, but these new changes are a positive development.

“These changes will still deliver on all the environmental and biodiversity requirements set by greening but give farmers some much-needed flexibility.

“That is hugely important following last autumn when many farmers will have struggled to plant winter crops and are making plans now for spring planting.

“With many mixed farmers planning for spring right now, we urge the Scottish Government to update its greening rule book as soon as possible.”