NEW AAPS GUIDE AVAILABLE

A new guide for farmers who make Arable Area Aid Payment scheme applications has been published.

The guide covers changes made to the scheme since 2000 and has been simplified in an attempt to make it as user-friendly as possible.

Key changes include:-

1. Any land eligible for the Arable Area Payment Scheme can now be set aside irrespective of its use in the previous year.
2. Rules on drainage works and trespass prevention on set-aside land have been introduced to provide farmers with more flexibility.
3. In certain circumstances, organic farmers can now grow fodder legume crops on set-aside land.

As in previous years, it is a condition of the Arable Area Payment scheme that claimants have read, understood and comply with the provisions of the scheme as set out in the guide.