Exemption welcomed by farmers (From Western Telegraph)

Exemption welcomed by farmers

9:00am Thursday 18th September 2008 in News

When Pembroke-shire’s arable growers do eventually get a respite from the rain to gather in the harvest they won’t have to worry about jeopardising their Single Farm Payment.

Wales’ minister for rural affairs, Elin Jones, has agreed to grant a temporary exemption of a cross-compliance requirement governing the use of machinery on waterlogged soils.

Until the exemption was in place, farmers risked losing some of their Single Farm Payment if they attempted to work their fields in current conditions.

The temporary exemption is in place until October 4th, but is subject to review.

Last month was the wettest August for 16 years and the heavy rainfall has had a severe impact on farming operations, in particular harvesting.

James Morris, who grows potatoes and cereals at Llandigige near St Davids, said the exemption meant there would be one less issue to worry about in what had been an appalling season.

He said the ground was as bad as he had ever seen it at this time of the year.

“We were trying to pick potatoes this week and there was water running through the drills,” he said.

But he is optimistic things could pick up.

He added: “In three weeks time we might be picking the potatoes in dust and wondering what all the fuss was about.”

The exemption has been welcomed by NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

NFU Cymru is advising its members to record in their cross compliance soil assessment record booklet, any soil damage, damage arising from the temporary exemption from the waterlogged soil Also, the action they intend to take to negate or, if appropriate, lessen the damage.

They should take such action as soon as is practicable before the next crop is sown.