Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Boothroyd (Crossbench). It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2008.

Agriculture: Combine Harvesters

Question: How many British farmers have been prosecuted under European Union rules for using a combine harvester on wet land.

Answer: None, my Lords. Breaching cross-compliance would result not in a prosecution but normally in a reduction in payment. As part of the EU’s direct payment to farmers, member states must set cross-compliance conditions aimed at preventing soil damage through the inappropriate use of agricultural machinery. No farmers have been found in breach of the relevant English standard. To enable farmers to complete their harvest, my department granted a derogation.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 704 c1124
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Agriculture Damage Farmers Protection Prosecutions Subsidies Common agricultural policy Soil Agricultural machinery
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk