RPA is taking the step of highlighting the changes to farmers now, so they can consider the changes while planning the next season’s crops. This will help them to comply with the cross compliance regulations.

The regulations mean that:

• Inorganic fertiliser must not be applied within two metres of surface waters.
• Organic manure must not be applied within 10 metres of surface waters, except on land managed for breeding wader birds, or as species rich semi-natural grassland and under certain other restrictions.
• Organic manure must also not be applied within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole.
• If farmers do apply organic manure, they will be asked to keep a map of all surface waters on the holding and land within 10 metres of them; all springs, wells and boreholes on the holding, and within 50 metres of the boundary of the holding, and land within 50 metres of them.

Russell Graham, of RPA’s cross compliance unit, said:

“We have had to introduce this new Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) as it was part of the CAP Health Check. It is designed to protect water from pollution by fertilisers and manures. It doesn’t come into force until January 2012, but we are letting people know now so they can plan cropping in advance.  The GAEC is based on existing rules included in the nitrate regulations, therefore farmers who are meeting the Statutory Management Requirement (SMR) 4 Nitrate Vulnerable Zone requirements will already be meeting the new regulations.”

Further guidance and assistance with complying with the cross compliance rules can be obtained from the Cross Compliance Technical Helpline. Details are at defra.gov.uk/crosscompliance or on 0845 345 1302.

Further details are available on RPA’s website at: rpa.defra.gov.uk/crosscompliance/farmerguidance