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Foot and Mouth Disease and Bluetongue - impact of stock movement restrictions on compliance with agri-environment agreements
4 October 2007
Following confirmation of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease on farms in Surrey and an outbreak of Bluetongue in Suffolk, Great Britain wide restrictions on movements of susceptible animals are currently in force. Susceptible animals can only be moved under licence and subject to certain conditions.
A joint note from Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) sets out the position for farmers with agri-environment agreements who may find themselves unable to comply with their agreements due to this current restriction.
Given the current circumstances, we have agreed that any non-compliance with an agri-environment agreement that is a direct consequence of the restrictions on movements of stock or of a closure order on access land will not be regarded as a breach of that agreement. Payments will not be affected in such circumstances. If you feel you fall in to this category please contact your local Natural England adviser who will be happy to discuss the situation with you.