Farmers must follow these rules if they apply for payments under the basic payment scheme 2016.
There are changes to:
- SMR 8: sheep and goat identification. To reflect new identification rules for lambs intended for slaughter.
- GAEC 5: soil and carbon stock. Minimum land management site specific conditions to limit erosion: to allow farmers to leave a rough surface, where site specific conditions that limit soil erosion can be demonstrated. However, if soil erosion occurs you may still be in breach of GAEC 4.
- SMR 4: food and feed law: reflects new pre movement testing rules for cattle moving to or from common land.
- Useful contact factsheet: updated to include new contact details for EID Cymru.
The verifiable standards for 2016 have been updated to reflect the changes to SMR 8 and GAEC 5.
New guidance for farmers considering leaving land with a rough surface has been produced.