Traded set-aside could be a time-bomb for farmers
UK - Quota brokers are warning that farmers who have traded their set-aside entitlements, which are not then being claimed against, could be falling foul of EU legislation.
As a result, they risk losing three years' worth of single farm payments.
A number of agents have been offering to take set-aside entitlements from farmers, which are then registered to their own holdings, but not claimed against.
The farmers taking part have been paying up to £150/ha to the brokers to free themselves of set-aside, on the grounds that they can make a bigger margin by farming the land.
Fruit and vegetable growers and dairy farmers have been particularly attracted to the opportunity.
Source: FWi
A number of agents have been offering to take set-aside entitlements from farmers, which are then registered to their own holdings, but not claimed against.
The farmers taking part have been paying up to £150/ha to the brokers to free themselves of set-aside, on the grounds that they can make a bigger margin by farming the land.
Fruit and vegetable growers and dairy farmers have been particularly attracted to the opportunity.
Source: FWi