On Wednesday 19 September, the European Commission adopted derogations to certain greening rules to help EU farmers hit by the drought to have more fodder for livestock (see EUROPE 12085).
The Commission states that it “continues to monitor the situation very closely”, in the light of updated data provided by the member states. “The full picture of the impact of this exceptional weather will only be clear when more information on yields and markets is available later in the year”, the Commission explains.
Derogations adopted relate to specific greening rules on winter crops and catch crops. The decision extends a previously granted derogation on land lying fallow (for animal feed) to Belgium and France. Provisions apply retroactively and member states concerned were advised earlier in order that famers might be informed swiftly that the rules would, exceptionally, not be applied this year.
The specific greening rules to which the derogations relate are, namely: - the possibility to consider winter crops, normally sown in autumn for harvest/pasture, as intermediary crops (which is banned by the rules in force), if they are used for pasture or for the production of fodder; - the possibility to sow only a single kind of intermediary crop (and not a mixture of varieties as is normally required) if the latter is used for pasture or for fodder; - and the possibility to reduce the compulsory period for the presence of intermediary crops (currently 8 weeks) so that farmers may sow their winter crops in time after these crops.
Derogations apply to member states that have requested them. These are: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Finland and Sweden (for derogation on set-aside); and Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom (for the derogation on catch crops and winter crops).
Decisions on advance payments will be taken in the near future. As of 16 October, farmers may receive up to 70% of their direct payments and 85% of payments, under rural development policy. They will thus not have to wait for December to improve their cash flow. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)