Future of Set-Aside land
Latest European developments
The European Commission reduced the compulsory set-aside rate for 2008 to 0%. This allowed set-aside land to be used for eligible agricultural activities in 2008. As part of the Health Check, the Commission have now announced a proposal to abolish obligatory set-aside from 2009. They see this as a logical follow-up to the 2008 decision. Their proposals are currently under discussion in the Council, the European Parliament and the other European institutions. It is expected that the position will be formalised when the Health Check proposals are agreed. This is likely to be towards the end of this year (2008).
Under the proposal, set-aside entitlements under the Single Farm Payment Scheme will be turned to standard entitlements. An EC press release states that "farmers can already benefit from the measure as from their autumn 2008 and spring 2009 sowings". The end of set-aside will allow farmers to adjust their planting decisions and respond in advance to new market circumstances.