Minister presses for EU change on three-crop CAP rule

The rule, which will force arable farmers with more than 30 hectares to grow three crops, is due to come into effect in January.

Mrs Truss raised the issue in her first meeting with the new EU commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Phil Hogan.

Mrs Truss said: “I pressed Commissioner Hogan for an urgent review of the three-crop rule and a simpler implementation of the greening rules in the new Common Agricultural Policy. We also discussed the need for better country of origin labelling for British products.”

Mrs Truss also met and the new commissioner for the environment, maritime affairs and fisheries, Karmenu Vella, and the commissioner for health and food safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis.

“In my meeting with Commissioner Vella I discussed the importance of simplifying environmental legislation.

“I also underlined the UK’s commitment to delivering fundamental reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy, including an EU-wide agreement to fish more sustainably and practically support our fishermen through key changes brought about by the implementation of the discard ban - which will prevent the wasteful practice of throwing away perfectly edible fish,” she said.