Natural England

Joint note from Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency - 10 August 2007

Following the confirmation of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease on farms in Surrey Great Britain wide restrictions on movements of susceptible animals are currently in force, and susceptible animals can only move under licence, for specific purposes (e.g. direct to slaughter) and subject to conditions. This joint note from Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency sets out the position for those with Agri-Environment Agreements (Environmental Stewardship, Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Wildlife Enhancement Schemes) who may find themselves unable to comply with their agreements due to this current restriction.

There are some 50,000 such agreements in the country and many will include requirements for grazing at specific times and at specific stocking densities. Some agreements will also include provision for public access but, apart from within the 3km protection zone, these remain open along with Public Rights of Way. As part of normal accreditation activities the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) are continuing their programme of Farm Inspections outside the protection and surveillance zones to check that the agreed management is taking place.

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. The RPA Inspectorate will discuss with Natural England any specific cases where the direct link between the movement restrictions and non-compliance is not obvious.

Mark Felton
Acting Director of Operations, Natural England

Ray Anderson
Policy Director, Rural Payments Agency

For further information, please contact: Natural England Enquiry Service, tel 0845 600 3078.