Derogation from Crop Diversification requirements

The Minister said: “This winter has seen extremely high levels of rainfall particularly over the December to February period with record amounts being recorded for the month of February.

“I understand the difficulties that this has caused for arable farmers with plantings delayed or abandoned. In these circumstances, I believe that many farmers could not comply with the crop diversification requirements or could do so only with great difficulty.

“Therefore I intend to introduce a derogation from all the Crop Diversification requirements for 2020 scheme year and will bring forward the necessary legislation to the Assembly in due course for approval.”

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) seeds and cereals chairman David Matthews, says the announcement is a positive result for the Northern Ireland (NI) farming industry, the timing of which could not be more fitting.

“With many parts of the country having experienced the wettest February on record, the UFU had previously called on DAERA to consider the real challenges facing arable and horticulture growers while trying to meet their Crop Diversification requirements. The Crop Diversification requirement derogation will apply to all farms with over 30 hectares of arable land.”

Responding to DAERA’s announcement Mr Matthews said: “This much needed derogation will be well received in particular by our arable and horticulture farmers in Northern Ireland. The derogation will alleviate some of the current pressure on farms during this difficult time.

“DAERA’s derogation will make a huge difference to UFU growers who have faced months of relentless heavy rain, waterlogging and flooding of fields leaving them unable to plant and establish crops for 2020.”