IT is important to get cross compliance records in place in May, when inspections start.

Farmers are urged to ensure they have their paperwork in order.

Charles Mayson, managing director of Cross Compliance Solutions, said: “The recent RPA confusion will not change the basics: the rules and regulations are still there, you are still there, the BPS is still there.

"When the dust has settled it will be much as before – same donkey, different saddle. So farmers shouldn’t imagine that freedom beckons. In fact we’re managing even more risk because of ‘greening’ rules.

“So how do we make sure we’re in a good position when the inspector calls? Three things to get you started would be: get your NVZ loading done; write a nutrient management plan; and check for soil erosion – be very careful about soil damage, the SPR book is history, but in its place is a more rigorous test, with measurements, so do not fail it.

“There’s a lot more to cross compliance than these three points, but getting the basics wrong is the equivalent to ‘the dog ate my homework’ in the inspector’s eyes and won’t wash at all.”