http://www.rural-smallholdings.co.uk/running-smallholding/smallholders-called-to\
-unite/

With the recent news that up to 17,000 smallholders could have their Single
Payment Scheme payments cut following DEFRA changes to the rules of eligibility
next year, there has never been a better time for smallholders to unite.

Whilst there was a consultation regarding the changes to the Single Payment
Scheme this Summer, it is clear that smallholding groups were not represented
and that there is still no national voice for smallholders.

The SSP scheme provides subsidies for farmers across the European Union in
return for their conserving of the environment. Up until 2005 the payments,
then called Common Agriculture Policy payments subsidised the costs of food and
encouraged farmers to keep livestock and grow arable crops.

In 2005 Single Payments Schemes were introduced which paid farmers a flat rate
depending on the area of land they managed with payments available for anything
over 0.3 hectares (roughly three quarters of an acre). Thousands of
smallholders then became eligible to enter the scheme and registered for
payments. DEFRA were overwhelmed by the number of smallholders joining the
scheme leading to problems with the processing of SPS and EU payment claims.

The latest changes will now mean that EU member states will now be able to
choose the minimum land area they will make payments for, within the limits of
1-5 hectares. If DEFRA sets the new minimum at 1 hectare, this could mean 1,500
farmers will lose payments. Admittedly at a payment of £50 for an acre this is
not a major loss. However if DEFRA were to set the minimum land size at 3
hectares as it is expected to do, this could affect around 10,000 smallholders
who could lose up to £400 a year.

One of the main problems with these changes has been that smallholders have not
been represented nationally and have therefore been unable to be involved in the
consultation process. Smallholders magazines were also excluded with no press
releases or advertisements taken out by DEFRA to advise of the changes.

By nature smallholders tend to be independent and many live in isolated
locations, but it is vitally important that we unite so that in the case of
future changes we are a force to be reckoned with and cannot just be passed over
without consultation.

Alan Beat, a Devon smallholder ran the Smallholders Online Forum in an attempt
to unite smallholders nationally, but this forum had to be closed recently due
to a lack of support. A new forum has now been created and smallholders are
encouraged to join up at the new `Smallholders Online Network.'

The new site is `an online community for smallholders. A place to share ideas,
experiences and thoughts on small-scale, local food production.' It can only
succeed with your input, so please if you haven't already, do sign up and get
involved.

Click here to visit the Smallholders Online Network

Article by Rural Smallholding Magazine