Over 180 off-road events, grass-track racing, trials, enduros and motocross, have been cancelled, thanks to the actions of the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the EU. And the situation is set to get worse, with around 4,000 off-road motorcycle meetings threatened.
The introduction of the ‘Single Payment Scheme’ (SPS) has seen farmers forced to remove permission for off-road events to be held on their land, under threat of loss of vital government subsidies. DEFRA has told farmers they will not qualify for an EU farm payment if they allow their land to be used for motor sports.
The new farm subsidy scheme is called the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and replaced the Common Agricultural Policy. The new scheme pays farmers for the land they own and not what they produce.
DEFRA’s actions are causing chaos. In Essex, the Dunmow and District Motorcycle Club had to cancel their annual scramble – which has been held since 1951 – after the landowner pulled out under threat of loss of subsidy. Club secretary Julian Sayer said he learned about the ruling on April 12 but delayed formally informing entrants for 10 days in the hope DEFRA would reverse their plans in that time. He was angry DEFRA officials had not informed anyone directly since the ruling was brought in on March 29.
He said: "It's ridiculous that the farmer had to phone DEFRA to confirm what we had told him. Just as the season is about to start they have dropped a bombshell with these guidance notes. Civil servants have been talking with the motorcycle sports governing body, the Auto Cycle Union, and telling them that the regulations were not supposed to prevent properly organised motorsport taking place on agricultural land. But when DEFRA were told that is exactly what has happened, they have refused to withdraw that clause in the regulations immediately which is something they could easily do overnight if they wanted to."
Dunmow and District Motorcycle Club has two other grass track events planned for June 19 and September 25 at Ugley . It is not yet known whether these will be able to take place.
DEFRA said the system was introduced to support and encourage agriculture. A spokesman said farmers may have to make a decision between the money they get from holding motorsport on their land and any the grants they may be eligible for.
MAG says the solution is simple, DEFRA should revise its guidelines to reflect the European Directive and the department must consult the governing bodies of the sport, the Autocycle Union (ACU), and the Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA), set up to co-ordinate the defense of motor sport and recreation.
MAG Director Of Public Affairs, Trevor Baird, says, “You can support your right to spectate by completing the online petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/som/) voicing your opposition to legislation that threatens the very heart of grassroots motorsport in Britain.”
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Originally Posted by Bob
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