Changes to EFA rules

[snipe]

would the following stop you growing peas or beans on your farm for EFA.
Legumes – No pesticide application from sowing to harvest

Fallow – No round-up applications to fallow land in the 6 month period 1st Jan – 30thJune.

 

[cotswoldcs]

Yes. There will be a lot fewer beans grown in the UK if this is implemented. Any news or is it just speculation?

 

[Rob Holmes]

@Guy Smith Is pretty sure this will be implemented,

I'm doing our BPS application tomorrow, going to be changing our EFA's from pulses to hedgerows and buffers

 

[Steevo]

Had pulses here before EFA so nothing changed when they were introduced.

If the new pulse changes come in my EFA will be met by fallow instead. I will spray it off as many times in the available window as possible in order to combat the blackgrass.

 

[David.]

Surely blackgrass will set viable seed by 30/6?

 

[Steevo]

Surely blackgrass will set viable seed by 30/6?

Maybe. Pity blackgrass isn't classified as an invasive weed!

 

[Badshot]

Surely blackgrass will set viable seed by 30/6?

Yes it will.
It'll be another nonsensical rule thought up by folk who have never thought about the consequences of their actions. Used to say mid may in set aside days.

 

[Steevo]

Yes it will.
It'll be another nonsensical rule thought up by folk who have never thought about the consequences of their actions. Used to say mid may in set aside days.

Or maybe thought up by those wishing to tie farmers hands behind their backs even more!

 

[Rob Holmes]

Can you not cultivate?

 

[Steevo]

I shall just have to make multiple attempts at establishing a wildflower mix then. If at first you don't succeed, try try again!

 

[Steevo]

Can you not cultivate?

During the EFA fallow period (1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016), farmers can do the following on their fallow land:

plough the ground – as long as it is only to prepare for sowing grass, wild bird mixes and/or nectar and/or pollen sources

http://www.ala.org.uk/sites/default/files/Greening_2016_FINAL.pdf

 

[Guy Smith]

@Guy Smith Is pretty sure this will be implemented,

I'm doing our BPS application tomorrow, going to be changing our EFA's from pulses to hedgerows and buffers

Rob,

Just to be clear. If this currently proposed rule banning PPP use on EFA does come in it will be for the 2017/18 growing/harvest year not the current 2016/17 growing/ harvest year that we are filling BPS forms in for at the moment.

And having said that, our Brussels office told me yesterday that there has been a bit of a development in the EU parliament that could delay this coming in for next year. I don't make final decisions on cropping until August so I'm going to wait until then, having said that I think I'm covered by other features to meet EFA anyway.

Thanks

Guy

 

[Steevo]

And having said that, our Brussels office told me yesterday that there has been a bit of a development in the EU parliament that could delay this coming in for next year. I don't make final decisions on cropping until August so I'm going to wait until then, having said that I think I'm covered by other features to meet EFA anyway.

What's the betting once we're out of the EU they gold plate these rules and make them even more difficult.

 

[Guy Smith]

That's the current debate but I've heard plenty of promises from Brexit MPs that we will move to a more flexible, less bureaucratic regime - the danger is we get even less reward.

Much to fight for at the moment.

 

[Steevo]

That's the current debate but I've heard plenty of promises from Brexit MPs that we will move to a more flexible, less bureaucratic regime - the danger is we get even less reward.

Much to fight for at the moment.

Makes a change for the UK govt to reduce their control on farmers. I shall have my fingers crossed.

 

[Wombat]

The one on fallow would be an issue, even if they just limited it to one roundup application I would live with that. Otherwise the BG would run riot

 

[marcot]

The one on fallow would be an issue, even if they just limited it to one roundup application I would live with that. Otherwise the BG would run riot

Nothing to stop you topping it to stop it seeding then spray off at the end of June. ...

 

[Wombat]

Nothing to stop you topping it to stop it seeding then spray off at the end of June. ...

My concern is I would miss some ears that are close to the ground but yes I could try and top it. One targeted application of roundup though would do the trick. I don't want to be spraying it off every month though

 

[David.]

Nothing to stop you topping it to stop it seeding then spray off at the end of June. ...

That will help the birds no end.
Proof if it were needed that rules are set by those who could not find their own arse with both hands.

 

[snipe]

Could you use reglone