Rural Support Scheme (FOI)

Request

Following the recent payment to Dairy Farmers to offset exponential costs increases caused by climate change, what conditions were put in place to ensure the money was spent in the public's best interest and not just to support poor management? eg, better soil management plans and so on. 

Response

These payments were made to the Dairy Farmers under the Rural Support Scheme (RSS) in accordance with the Rural Economy Strategy (RES) 2017-2021.

To qualify for a grant under the RSS numerous economic and environmental factors are considered and there were specific conditions that dairy farmers had to adhere to in order to qualify for support which cover a broad range of environmental, economic and social issues.

These include, but are not limited to, recipients having the following policies in place and documented:

• Water Pollution Contingency Plan

• Soil Protection Plan

• Plant Protection / Animal Health Product Application Records

• Crop Nutrient Management Plan

• Waste Management Plan and Disposal Record

• Farm Manure and Organic Waste Management Plan

• Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy

In addition, each dairy business receiving public funds under the Rural Support Scheme has to make a financial declaration (signed by a qualified accountant) and land declaration giving details of crops grown and areas used.

These requirements are all listed in the Rural Economy Strategy and the application for funds under the Rural Support Scheme, as previously indicated. These documents are available online at gov.je.

Each recipient of support has to make a signed declaration on an annual basis which includes a statement of compliance with the following codes, laws conventions:

• European Communities Legislation (Implementation) (Cattle Identification) (Jersey) Regulations 2002

• Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law 2004

• Jersey Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cattle

• Diseases of Animals (Jersey) Law 1956

• Agricultural Land (Control of Sales and Leases) (Jersey) Law 1974

• Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000

• Water Pollution (Code of Good Agricultural Practice) (Jersey) Order 2015 (Water Code)

• Water Resources (Jersey) Law 2007

• Waste Management (Jersey) 2005 or legislation which may amend, add to or replace any of the above.

• Rural Support Scheme (RSS)

The signed declaration also includes the following statement:

“I/we will update my/our Waste Management Plan annually and maintain the following records, relating to the 20** [year inserted as appropriate] crop year, which will be available for inspection upon request.

• Waste disposal records * Farm manure management plan - http://gis.digimap.je/RiskMap/

• Farm water pollution contingency plan

• Pesticide application and storage records

• Field fertilizer and manure application records (including organic and inorganic applications)

• Animal health and welfare plan (agreed and updated with your veterinary surgeon during at least 3 on farm visits per annum)

• Soil Protection Plan (in accordance with the training and assistance provided in 2012 and 2013)

• Crop Nutrient Management Plan (in accordance the training and assistance provided in 2012 and 2013)”

For 2018 every business receiving support has completed a Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) Marque sustainable farming review, and for 2019 support is conditional upon successful completion of a LEAF Marque Audit. The LEAF Marque Standard is a cornerstone of the Rural Economy Strategy which will allow the delivery of ‘public goods’ by rural businesses to be measured, assessed and benchmarked.