On 10 September Defra announced that following the end of the countrywide suspension of GAEC 3 (waterlogged soil) in response to the exceptional weather conditions, farmers could apply for individual exemptions where their land was still affected by waterlogging.  We do not anticipate the need to grant such exemptions after 30 September and farmers should ensure that they are complying with GAEC 3, as detailed at pages 17 and 18 of the Cross Compliance Handbook for England 2006 edition. 
 
Farmers are reminded that they should:

•  record in their Soil Protection Reviews as soon as is practicable:
  • any damage arising from activities undertaken during the period of exceptional weather conditions or from the suspension of the waterlogged soil requirements to any part of their holdings which is subject of such a Review; and
  • the action they intend to take to undo or, if appropriate, lessen that damage; and
• take such action as soon as is practicable and, in any event, before the next crop is sown.