Defra's minimum claim size decision welcomed.

Byline: Karen Dent

FARMERS have welcomed the setting of the minimum claim size for the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and other direct farm payments at one hectare.

The new claim size, which follows a consultation on the CAP Health Check reforms, will come into force next year. It will apply to a farm's total claim for SPS, Area Payment for Nuts and Protein Crop Premium.

Defra said it would not seek to introduce an objective farmer test as part of the changes.

Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "By setting the minimum claim size at one hectare, the lowest area allowed by the EU, we have minimised the amount of change for farmers and ensured that as many farmers as possible will be able to claim.

"Ultimately, we want to see more reform of the CAP, so that it rewards farmers for the public benefits they provide. This includes looking after the environment, something which the market alone cannot reward."

NFU president Peter Kendall said: "Defra has clearly listened to the views of stakeholders. We are pleased that Defra has resisted the temptation to set a higher minimum claim size.

"We could see no advantages in this; to have gone for a higher threshold would have comprised a minority of smaller claimants for no gain to the rest."

Defra also announced that it would delay the integration of protein crop payments into the SPS until 2012, the latest possible date it can do so.

However, Mr Kendall raised concerns about French plans to introduce a new aid payment for protein crops from next year.

Mr Kendall said: "The proposals that have emerged in France to supplement existing protein crop payments by up to an additional EUR100/ha are worrying and the NFU will be seeking to ensure that the proposals meet the tests laid out under Article 68 of the CAP Health Check regulation.

"As things stand these proposals seem to amount to a serious competitive distortion for UK pea and bean growers and we urge both Defra and the European Commission to monitor developments closely."

Further details of the forthcoming changes are available on the Rural Payments Agency's website at www.rpa.gov.uk.

CAPTION(S):

ANNOUNCEMENT Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.