Following a request from farming representatives, Environment SecretaryHilary Benn has granted a further temporary exemption from the cross compliancestandard for farmers who need to use mechanical equipment and vehicles onwaterlogged soil to harvest their cereals, oilseeds and protein crops inEngland (GAEC 3)

The Environment Secretary has the power to give an exemption from therequirement in periods of exceptional weather conditions, and on 10 September2008 announced an exemption until 4 October. In view of the persistent wetweather conditions and its adverse effect on harvesting, Hilary Benn hasreviewed the situation and given a further temporary exemption from therequirement until 25 October 2008 (subject to review).

The Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition standard, GAEC 3,prohibits farmers from carrying out mechanical operations and using motorisedvehicles on waterlogged soil. The standard is a cross compliance requirementintended to prevent compaction and damage of waterlogged soils and thereforeavoid exacerbating drainage and run-off problems when soils dry out.

Usually wet weather conditions do not coincide with the harvest, but a wetsummer has made waterlogged conditions more prevalent than usual. Defra hasconsidered the current circumstances in relation to both the economic andenvironmental effects of the wet weather and consequent water logging. Giventhe widespread distribution of affected areas, which include the North and theWest Midlands, a national level exemption is appropriate.

Hilary Benn said:

"The NFU and other farming industry representatives have alerted me tothe continuing problems caused by not being able to use machinery onwaterlogged soil after the recent rainfall, and the promise of further rainfallthreatens the remaining harvest.

I have decided to extend the exemption across England, solely for thepurposes of harvesting cereals, oilseeds and protein crops, until 25 October2008. We need to continue to do all we can to help the harvest."