LFA Review April 17, 2013 12:00 am Under CAP reform proposals the European Commission is proposing to replace Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) with ‘Areas with Natural Constraints’. The idea is to have a more robust methodology for categorising less productive farmland. This is based on eight ‘biophysical’ criteria including such things as soil, slope and climate. This change requires a mapping exercise, which for England is being led by DEFRA (devolved administrations are carrying out their own mapping). Initial maps have now been produced and a consultation launched. The consultation will run until the 27th March, maps and response forms can be found on the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2013/02/01/areas-facing-natural-constraints-1302/ There is an overview map showing the whole of England, plus the ability to zoom down to Parish level. The overview shows that there is a lot of change between current LFAs and AwNCs. Some areas of lowland England are even designated under the new criteria. It is not clear what this might mean. The LFA designation is currently used in England mainly to control entry to the Uplands ELS. If the designation changes, how will this affect the scheme? The sub-category of the LFA, Severely Disadvantaged Area, is one of the regions for Single Payment Entitlements. Would this have to change too?
