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Non-Cropped Land


From 2009 the classification of set-aside was no longer be part of the EU Single Farm Payment scheme.  Alternative agri-environmental schemes include ELS, HLS and the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE)
Any land which remains non-cropped but is not in environmental or other schemes is classed as 'Land not in agricultural production'.  It must be kept in 'Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition' (GAEC), to be classed as agricultural and eligible for payment.  Full details are in the Cross Compliance Handbook sent to all farmers, and can be found on the Cross Compliance Website*.
 
The following table explains how Roundup can be used within these rules:

Rule
Land not in Agricultural Production - GAEC 12 (OT2)
Cover Requirement

From 2010 there was no longer any requirement in GAEC12 to establish or maintain a green cover on land not in agricultural production. However under GAEC 1 you must record the land as being not in agricultural production in your Soil Protection Review with appropriate soil protection measures identified and then taken. Maintaining a green cover, either sown or from natural regeneration can be a good method of soil protection and should be considered on high risk land.
Cutting or ploughing of any Cover
Generally not allowed between 1st March and 31st July to protect ground nesting birds, with the following exceptions:
  • As part of compliance with GAEC 11***
  • As part of management of Couch or Black-grass for the first 15 months
  • Cutting scrub and cutting or grazing of rank vegetation must be done at least once every 5 years to prevent scrub development (no more that 50% to be cut in any 12 month period·
  •  If cutting is required to:-
    •  establish grassy areas to prevent erosion and run-off o to establish ground nesting bird plots up to 2 ha
    •  manage pollen and nectar mixes for wildlife food resource e.g. as required by CFE options
    •  establish a buffer strip alongside a watercourse for resource protection.

But you should avoid disturbing ground nesting birds if they are known to be present.
Grazing of Cover
Allowed at any time, no restrictions.
Control of Weeds under GAEC 11***
Roundup can be used overall or as a spot treatment at any time.  If used overall the cover should be replaced if the land is to remain non-cropped for the following season.
 
Use of
Roundup

Roundup® can be used overall or as spot treatment at any time, for clearing problem perennial weeds, preventing annual weed grasses like Black-grass and Brome from seeding or as preparation for the following crop in conjunction with ploughing or minimal cultivation.

The brown cover created does not harm nesting birds or the insects their chicks need to feed on.

Non cropped land is classed under the label field of use ‘Green cover on land temporarily removed from production’ and up to 3600g ai/ha of any Roundup® formulation can be used in one year.
* For information in Scotland visit: www.scotland.gov.uk and Wales: www.countryside.wales.gov.uk
 
**Starts the day after the previous harvest or on the 1st January
***GAEC 11. 'You must: take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread in your land and on to adjoining land of 'injurious' weeds; Common Ragwort, Spear Thistle, Creeping (or Field) Thistle, Broad-leaved Dock and Curled Dock; and of the 'invasive' weeds; Rhododendron, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam.'