News Drought 2018
Catch crop exemption for late main harvest
The Netherlands has submitted a derogation request to the European Commission for an exemption from the greening requirement to fill 5% of the ecological focus area with catch crops. Due to the drought, there is force majeure.
Other European member states are also arguing for the same exemption. The European Commission will meet on August 30 to take a decision. In the meantime, arable farmers can contact the National Office for Entrepreneurship (RVO.nl) invoke force majeure, so that the subsidies are not jeopardized. Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) made this agreement with European Commissioner Phil Hogan.
Terms & conditions
However, a number of special circumstances have been identified that the situation must meet in order to be eligible for an exemption. An example is that the soil is too dry to allow the sowing of a catch crop before 15 October. An exemption can also be obtained if the catch crop germinates poorly.
If the main harvest (due to drought) cannot be removed from the land before October 15, you can also claim the exemption. If it was planned to grow a winter crop, a late main harvest could endanger the '8-week period'. This is also seen as a special circumstance.
Photo as burden of proof
Another situation can be when the field margins (ecological focus area) are used for animal feed production. A condition for this is that the distinction between the field edge and the adjacent plot remains visible. In some cases, arable farmers must provide evidence; this could be a photo.
Wouter Job
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