Farmers must follow these rules if they apply for payments under the Basic Payment Scheme 2024.
Most Cross Compliance rules continue to apply as in 2023. We have updated the following Factsheets and associated sections of the verifiable standards. This reflects changes in requirements, good practice and to clarify wording for 2024:
- SMR 1: water protection
Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to reflect requirements applying to all land from 1 January and 1 August 2024 under the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021. The changes include requirements to comply with closed periods for spreading nitrogen fertiliser (includes slurry and other organic manures with readily available nitrogen), to ensure sufficient storage capacity for manure during the storage period and not to exceed a limit of 170kg of Nitrogen per hectare from all livestock manure across the whole holding, unless you selected the Enhanced Nutrient Management approach and submitted notification to NRW by 31 March 2024.
Please ensure you are familiar with:- the requirements
- how they apply to your farm business
You can find further information in The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021: guidance for farmers and land managers.
- SMR 2: wild birds
Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to include requirements applying to land designated as a:- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- proposed SSSI
- Special Protection Area (SPA)
- SMR 3: conservation of fauna and flora
Factsheet updated to include links to relevant legislation and clarify requirements. verifiable standards amended to reference SSSIs and cover European Protected Species (wild animals)
- SMR 4: food and feed law
Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to clarify requirements applying to producers of raw milk
- SMR 10: restrictions on the use of Plant Protection Products (PPP)
Links to relevant guidance updated
- SMR 11: welfare standards for calves
Links to relevant guidance updated
- SMR 12: welfare standards for pigs
Links to relevant guidance updated
- SMR 13: welfare standards for farmed animals
Links to relevant guidance updated