Three-crop rule relaxed and flood recovery fund extended

Defra has announced it is relaxing the three-crop rule for farmers in England, making it easier for farmers to meet the greening requirements of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

It follows a recent decision by the Scottish government to offer a derogation to growers because of the difficulties they are facing in establishing crops for harvest 2020 in waterlogged conditions.

The move means that growers who are unable to plant spring crops because conditions are still too wet will not be unfairly penalised.

Flood recovery funding

Defra has also announced another £6m for the Farming Recovery Fund which offers farmers who suffered uninsurable damage to their property as a result of storms Ciara and Dennis grants of between £500 and £25,000.

This money can be used to help cover the costs of activities such as the re-cultivation of farmland, including re-seeding, re-planting cover crops and alleviating soil compaction.

The Farming Recovery Fund was originally opened to support farms flooded in North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire during June and July 2019.

It was then extended to cover those hit by flooding in parts of South Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and the Midlands in November 2019.

The latest announcement means support will be available for farmers affected by recent flooding in parts of East and North Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Herefordshire.

The government has said information on the application dates for the extended Farming Recovery Fund will be released in due course.

However, farmers who have already repaired damage caused by the flooding should keep records of all relevant evidence, including receipts and before and after photos, in order to support any future application.

For advice and support on the Basic Payment Scheme or applying to the Farming Recovery Fund please contact your local office.