Defra off road policy

.. "here is a badly worded letter asking you to send an email to someone to complain about a threat we don't explain that is as a result of a scheme that we also don't explain".

Hmm, needs work....

If you want support, I'd suggest you explain yourself a little more.

On or around Sat, 16 Apr 2005 13:18:10 +0100, Ian Rawlings enlightened us thusly:

I know what it's about, but then again, I know something of the background of the Single Farm Payment. So yes, you're right, a bit more explanation for those who don't know would be useful.

While we're on the subject, anyone know how to set up an online petition thing, of the kind which is correctly set up to be presented to our lords and masters in waste-money-ster? I believe there are certain things One Has To Do, in order that it be considered an Official Petition.

I've a mind to start one about the extra 10% I keep having to pay on me road tax, merely because I don't happen to be able to afford 175 notes at the particular time it's due. I don't believe that it really costs an extra 10% to send out 2 automated reminders per year rather than one... I suspect it probably costs about an extra 50p. 's a fecking con, anyway - and yet another thing which is an extra burden on the less-well-off - if you're on a single state pension, for example, the road tax represents 2 weeks' money.

I can't help thinking the only major difference between a electronic petition and a paper on is that the bloke on the door at No. 10 can just press "Delete" instead of having to carrry a load of paper to the skip out the back.

You'll only get attention if you get the media onboard - and that won't happend unless your black, gay or arty-farty. If Smiling Tony (and to a large extent the media) couldn't be bothered with 700,000 coutry types wondering round London then you and I have bugger all chance.

Unless you get a child, preferably with a life threatening illness, or disability, involved.

Smiling Tony and the others don't need our vote, so we don't count.

Yes, I am a cynic, arn't I :-)

Richard

Ah! But you won't need a car if you're on an OAPension cos you'll have your free bus pass, innit?

(So you can go out anytime you like. As long as it's not peak hours or on a Sunday or late at night or you live in the countryside.)

Judith

The DEFRA Single Payment Scheme being paid to farmers EXCLUDES all motorsport ie NOT a motor powered vehicle anywhere on farmland. And YES that can include their own vehicles! Typical replies that I should have expected. There are over 7000 events each year on farmland from motorcycle trials to

It might be worth starting some discussion of this on uk.business.agriculture -- the regulars there are pretty well-informed, though you might not get much sympathy if you express certainty on scant evidence.

Certainly, they're not biased in favour of DEFRA. Anything but.

Further info, having just received another update on the rules, and pointing out where you may have leapt to a conclusion:

So, there will still be a two-month block of the year when farmland can be used for off-road motorsport, such as trials driving, without affecting SPS entitlement. This block is chosen by the farmer.

Within the other ten months, there can be car parking for up to 28 days. If the motorsport area is fenced off as a seperate field, that car parking is not a problem (It is explicitly stated that the "caravan site" use need not affect a whole field, which implies other uses do, but on the next page it's stated that any loss of entitlement only covers the affected area.).

Certain sorts of motorsport may be permitted, if the farmer asks, and, I assume, there is evidence that the effects are comparable with permitted events. As there is a "Festivals and Events" category, you could argue that you're having less effect on agricultural use than the Glastonbury Festival, though that's probably outside the ten month block.

By analogy with the permitted uses, trials driving seems a possibility, if not actual racing. With some care, there might not be any problem. My recollection is that the old system would have had similar effects. Certainly, when set-aside came in, car parking was not permitted at all. And set-aside land is still differently restricted.

DEFRA and the RPA are _still_ trying to sort out what the system is. This part of the system _will_ be reviewed.

Please be aware I have read all of the Defra documents and RPA. docs, you are NOT right in what you say. The basics are correct that you state but have MUCH more detail. I DO know what Im talking about. Set aside land was always different Unless a farmer/landowner does not claim for a parcel of land, which many do not know/realise they can except parcels, there will be NO motorsport on that land. See LARA's website.

from the frequently answered questions booklet just out

Page 6 C Non agricultural use of land.

Answer Eligible acres are defined in the EU regulations as excluding land on which non agricultural activities take place. Defra have issued further guidance on how this requirement will be implemented in the Single Payment scheme handbook and guidance for England 2005 supplement. But, in any event it remains open for farmers to host events outside their nominated 10 month period providing they continue to comply with cross compliance conditions.

But I'll ask about Jim Webster