Changes to how the way that certain types of land will be categorised for payment under the next round of Pillar One of the Common Agricultural Policy were announced in August 2014. As part of these changes, the definition of moorland has been amended. The new Pillar 1 arrangements will be introduced in 2015 and will include a payment system and indicative payment rates based on different levels of agricultural productivity. These will be
– Moorland (the least productive land);
– Severely Disadvantaged Areas; and
– a combined category for lowland and Disadvantaged Areas (the most productive types of land).
The Welsh Government has recently announced that farmers wishing to appeal to have their land re-classified for the purposes of the CAP Basic Payment Region in Wales must have an ecology survey undertaken by a CIEEM member. The deadline for returning the appeal is 28th November 2014.
The purpose of the ecology survey is to determine if the provisional classification of land parcels should change.
The report requirements are as follows:
– Date the survey is undertaken;
– Name of the surveyor;
– Confirmation that the surveyor is a CIEEM member;
– A short description of the survey area using the phase 1 habitat survey classification;
– An Annotated mas of the survey area showing the extent of improved and semi-natural upland vegetation, photograph locations and direction, a diagram of W-transect, description of record sections (i. 10 steps, 15 steps, 20 steps, 25 steps etc) and the species recorded; and
– Results of the pin test showing the number of pins taken and the results for each, and summary data to show the % cover of semi-natural species.
If you need any assistance with a moorland reclassification ecology survey as part of a moorland rate appeal or any other ecological survey contact us on 029 2065 0331 or enquiries@acerecology.co.uk.
We can undertake moorland review surveys in South, Mid, West and North Wales.
