The use of Roundup on Non-cropped land

After the poor autumn weather conditions, unfinished autumn plantings and questionable spring break crop margins in some areas, there is likely to be more land rested this spring. Economics may dictate a cropping break this spring to optimise entry into winter wheat as the most profitable as well as the easiest option.

With set-aside officially removed from the Single Farm Payment Scheme for 2009, any land which remains non-cropped and not managed under 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 land and eligible for payment under the SFP Scheme.

Non cropped land is not the same as set-aside and there are some confusing elements regarding where and when Roundup® can be used on non-cropped land. This note aims to clarify the position using information from the Cross Compliance Handbook and FAQs from the Cross compliance website. However, farmers should always check with the RPA if they are still unsure about any actions they plan to take.

 

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