Luxembourg's Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer Protection has confirmed that the European Commission has adopted a derogation for 2017 due to the persistent droughts and the consequent loss of feed crops.
This means that growth on decommissioned land may be used for (animal) feeding purposes. Intermediate crops which have been sown in autumn 2016 and are still available can be used and reported as field fodder this year and in the following years and do not need to be ploughed.
This derogation applies only to 2017. Decommissioning areas in 2018 or intermediate crops sown in the autumn of this year are not affected by this. These intermediate crops must be ploughed in spring 2018.
Farmers with additional questions may contact the Service d'économie rurale.
