This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Organic farming developments
30/03/2004
New regulations that will introduce new payment rates
and support for the organic fruit and vegetable sector were
announced today.
The Organic Aid Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2004 come
into force on May 1 and include:
- increases in grants to encourage the conversion of
organic land
- capital grants to support activity for conversion -
for example building or restoring dykes
maintenance grants - contributions towards the costs of preparing a
conversion plan
Deputy Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson today
published the first annual report on delivery of the
Organic Action Plan and outlined improvements to the
scheme.
He said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to implementing our
Organic Action Plan, to develop the infrastructure needed
to increase Scotland's share of the organic food market and
increase the proportion of organic food available in
Scotland. We also pledged to make further resources
available to farmers wishing to convert to organic
farming.
"he first annual report demonstrates the progress we,
and others, have made as well as the clear potential for
this sector within Scotland. It also reflects the
important work done by Scottish Food and Drink in
developing market opportunites and highlight's the
willingness of the farming community to respond to market
trends.
"he improvements we have made to the Organic Aid Scheme,
following extensive consultation, will assist greatly with
the conversion from traditional to organic methods.
Something that is good news for both farmers and
consumers."
New payments rates - set out in schedule three of the
2004 regulations - have been introduced for conversion
grants. Rates apply to those already or about to convert
land. Total payment for converting land over a five year
period will be:-
- £595 per hectare for eligible arable land
- £370 per hectare for improved grassland
- £25 per hectare for rough grazing or unimproved
grassland
Introduce a new category of payment for converting land
on which vegetable and fruit is grown to organic farming
methods. It is calculated that the total payment for
converting land over a five year period will be 720 pounds
per hectare.
Provide conversion grant for a maximum of 1,000 hectares
per holding. Of this only 300 hectares can be eligible
arable land, improved grassland or vegetable and fruit land
or a mixture of the three.
Capital grants are available for a list of essential
activities including fencing, building or restoring dykes
and walls, install guards for hedge plants etc. Each
activity must be carried out within the first year of
conversion in accordance with the requirements specified in
Schedule One of the 2004 Regulations. A maximum payment of
2,800 pounds shall apply to all capital activities.
Subject to State Aid application, introduce contribution
to the costs of professionally prepared organic conversion
plans.
Introduce maintenance grants calculated over a five year
period as:
- £150 per hectare for arable land
- £70 per hectare for improved grassland
- £70 per hectare for vegetable and fruit land
Rough grazing or unimproved grassland will qualify for a
flat rate payment of 500 pounds per year. Farmers will be
entitled to maintenance grant calculated on a per hectare
basis or on a flat rate basis but not both.
Maintenance grants of a maximum 1,000 hectares per
holding. Of these 1,000 hectares only 300 hectares can be
eligible arable land, improved grassland or vegetable and
fruit land or a mixture of the three.
Farmers applying for maintenance payments will be
required to comply with the Maintenance Obligations set out
in Schedule Five of the 2004 Regulations.
Clarify when farmers can covert their land to organic
farming methods in phases and when farmers can enter their
land into the maintenance part of the scheme in phases.
The regulations have been introduced following a
consultation exercise in 2003 which proposed improvements
to the agri-environment schemes in Scotland. The
consultation included submissions from key farming and
conservation interest groups. This consultation process
was augmented by the Organic Stakeholder Working Group
which considered the technical detail behind the headline
issues. The new scheme provisions were agreed by Scottish
Ministers and approved by the Commission on January 21 as a
modification to the Scottish Rural Development
Programme.
The scheme is an integral part of the Rural Development
Plan for Scotland and will be co-financed by the EW,
utilising amounts raised from the modulation of CAP direct
payments. The instrument has no effect on local
government.