Farmers Ask EU to Relax Land Rules for Hot Weather
Date: 27-Jul-06
Country: BELGIUM
Under EU law, farmers must not use at least 10 percent of their land for any agricultural purpose, otherwise known as "set-aside land". The rule was introduced in 1992 to prevent over production as part of a major reform of EU agriculture.
"France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Belgium and Luxembourg have asked to use their land to feed their animals," a spokesman for the European Commission said.
A decision will be taken by the Commission by the end of this week.
After weeks of temperatures topping 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) across Europe, farmers are facing major financial losses as a result of lower harvests and higher prices for animal feed.
