Natural England - EU audit of England's agri-environment schemes
EU audit of England's agri-environment schemes
5 July 2010
Defra is making changes to the way farmers are paid for protecting the environment, after an EU audit of England's agri-environment schemes.
Although Defra's agri-environment schemes are effective and have been designed to make them attractive to farmers, The European Commission has concluded that payments should only be made at certain points during the year, instead of on a rolling basis throughout the year, to comply with EU law.
This does not apply to capital payments which can continue to be made as at present. Agreements started before 1 January 2007 may be unaffected, but the Commission has yet to confirm this.
Discussions between Defra and the European Commission are not yet complete and specific details of the changes are yet to be decided. Farmers are being notified now so that they are aware of the situation and have an opportunity to contribute their views.
Defra is making every effort to minimise the potential impacts on agreement holders and to persuade the Commission to adopt a flexible approach. Any changes will not affect the amount of the payments or the total funding which farmers receive under their agreements.
Defra does not expect to make any changes before 2011 at the earliest. In the meantime, farmers are encouraged to apply for new or renewed Environmental Stewardship agreements as before.
