Disappointment after DEFRA say no change on orchard policy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 28th May 2004

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne and Hereford MP Paul Keetch have today reacted with disappointment to the news that the Government are not changing their policy on orchards.

Reports last night suggested that the Government were set to change their position and allow orchard owners with more than 50 trees per hectare to get EU grants. However, the Government Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), have said today that they are not changing the policy.

The new scheme put in place by DEFRA following the European Union's reform of the CAP, will only pay landowners if the land is classified as "farmland". Under Commission rules any orchard with more than 50 trees per hectare is considered woodland and therefore not eligible for the single farm payment.

Speaking on her visit to Hereford today the Liberal Democrat MEP said:

" DEFRA have confirmed to me this morning that they are not changing their minds on this issue. They are still saying that orchards are not eligible for single farm payments.

"This will be a huge disappointment to orchard owners across Herefordshire. We had hoped that the Government had seen sense but it seems they are sticking to their policy. We will keep up the pressure on DEFRA to change their mind and allow orchard owners with more than 50 trees per hectare to get EU grants.

"Most of the orchards in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have between 300 and 600 trees per hectare which is different to most other EU countries. That is why DEFRA must get assurances from the commission that member states can be flexible in implementing these rules.

"What is most ridiculous is that DEFRA claims the new scheme rewards environmental good practice, but unlike almost every other country in Europe they seem to have forgotten about orchards. By sticking to their policy they could oversee the destruction of orchards across Herefordshire."

Hereford MP Paul Keetch and Chairman of the all party cider group said:

"Many orchards in Herefordshire are devoted to making cider and have far more than 50 trees per hectare. This could mean landowners cutting down between 80 and 90% of their apple trees which would be a major blow to the local economy and environment."

ENDS