Agriculture: Cross-compliance Rules

Lord Taylor of Holbeach
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to introduce legislation to assist farmers in ensuring that new occupants of land disposed of after 15 May in any year maintain it for the rest of that year, in line with cross-compliance rules. [HL3349]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker)
No. Council Regulation 146/2008 makes it clear that liability with regard to fulfilling cross-compliance requirements rests with the farmer who submitted the aid application. Ensuring maintenance of land for the rest of the calendar year following a land transfer should be dealt with by private law arrangements between the parties concerned, as envisaged in the Council regulation.