Landowners who use pesticides and don't read what's on the tin
could face heavy penalties under the Single Farm Payment system, a
Shropshire agricultural lawyer has warned.
Tom Devey, an assistant solicitor working in the Agriculture and
Rural Affairs Division of MFG Solicitors, says new rules mean
Single Farm Payments could be reduced by as much as five per cent
if farmers breach them.
"Extra care should be taken when using pesticides because there
has been significant tightening of cross compliance policing by the
Rural Payments Agency," he said.
"In the past the majority of first time breaches of the
Statutory Management Requirements for Good Agricultural and
Environmental Condition (GAEC) resulted in warning letters.
"From this year most non-compliance found in random spot checks
could result in cuts in Single Farm Payments.
"The Statutory Management Requirements require growers and
advisers to use only UK-approved pesticides strictly in accordance
with the instructions set out on the labels.
"Breaches of the rules, whether intentional or not, are heavily
penalised.
"If a spot check finds that a non-approved pesticide has been
used, or that there has been an incorrect application of
pesticides, the ramifications can be serious. They can result in a
3-5% reduction in Single Farm Payments."
Mr Devey said landowners would be well advised to take extra
care to ensure that only approved pesticides were applied on their
holding - and only in accordance with the instructions."
A major regional law firm, MFG Solicitors LLP has offices in
Halesowen, Telford, Worcester, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Cleobury
Mortimer and Oswestry.