  
The term 'cross-compliance' refers to the requirement for farmers to comply with a set of Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and keep their land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) in order to qualify for the full single payment and other direct payments. The SMRs relate to the areas of public, animal and plant health, environment and animal welfare. The standards of GAEC relate to the issues of soil erosion, soil organic matter, soil structure and ensuring a minimum level of maintenance, avoiding the deterioration of habitats.
The protection of permanent pasture is a standard of GAEC and Member States have to ensure that the ratio of permanent pasture to total agricultural area from 2003 is maintained. Where the ratio decreases to the detriment of permanent pasture, Member States must oblige farmers not to convert permanent pasture without prior authorization. Where it cannot be ensured the ratio doesn't fall by more than 10%, Member States must oblige farmers claiming the single payment to re-convert land back to permanent pasture. Where the ratio falls by 5%, an individual farmer obligation may be required.
All the SMRs and the majority of the standards of GAEC relate to pre-existing legal requirements that claimants should already be adhering to. For further information on the requirements please see the cross compliance publications listed in the Farmer Guidance part of this section.
A cross compliance advice helpline is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Agents can answer technical questions on cross compliance or tell you where to get the help you need.
Cross Compliance Advice Helpline - 0845 345 1302
www.crosscompliance.org.uk
Defra's Whole Farm Approach (WFA) online Cross Compliance Self Assessment Tool can be accessed by registering and signing up to the WFA.
Latest cross-compliance news and updates
29/01/10 ~ Cross Compliance update to Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) 12 – Agricultural land which is not in agricultural production
16/12/09 ~ Soil Protection Review 2010
16/12/09 ~ Mailing to all Single Payment Scheme (SPS) & Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) customers
27/11/09 ~ Waterlogged land in Cumbria – cross compliance temporary derogation
18/09/09 ~ Cross Compliance update to Statutory Management Requirement (SMR) 10 – Restrictions on the use of substances having hormonal or thyrostatic action and beta-agonist in farm animals
27/07/09 ~ Cross Compliance update to Statutory Management Requirement (SMR) 7 - Cattle Identification and Registration
09/07/09 ~ Defra has issued a press notice on set-aside
09/07/09 ~ Written statement by Hilary Benn on set-aside
24/04/09 ~ Cross Compliance Inspection Statistics
09/03/09 ~ Cross Compliance consultation
10/02/09 ~ RPA updates Cross Compliance guidance and Single Payment Scheme policy
26/01/09 ~ RPA issue new guide for Cross Compliance breaches
30/12/08 ~ Cross Compliance update
03/10/08 ~ Defra grants a suspension from waterlogged soil regulations to help farmers complete their harvest
10/09/08 ~ Waterlogged land – cross compliance exemptions
25/07/08 ~ Hilary Benn accepts Curry Group recommendations on set-aside
30/05/08 ~ Update to Cross Compliance literature and reminder for claimants on Statutory Authorities
25/04/08 ~ Cross Compliance Inspection Statistics for 2007
28/01/08 ~ Defra announcement on EU Agriculture Council's decision to replace the Single Payment Scheme '10-month rule'
03/01/08 ~ Amendment to cross compliance legislation: Commission Regulation (EC) No 796/2004
Previous news updates
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