Farmers willing to risk subsidy cuts to avoid "three crop rule"
Farmers in the east say they are willing to risk having their subsidies cut to avoid adhering to a new EU rule which they say will leave them far worse off.
The European directive, which comes into effect next year, means all but the very smallest farms will have to grow at least three different crops each year.
The EU says the "three crop rule" is necessary to encourage diversity and protect the environment.
But farmers in this region warn it will have a major financial impact on them.
Farmers will not be allowed to devote more than 75% of their land to a single crop and two others must cover at least 5% each.
The British agricultural industry says that, together with some other EU directives, will cost Norfolk £12.7m, Suffolk 9.3m, while Cambridgeshire will be £8.7m worse off.
It also warns of other negative effects including an increase in rural traffic and reduced efficiency.
The EU insists a lack of crop rotation in Europe is damaging to environment.
But Britain's farmers insist they already have a number of measures in place to protect the environment.
Six million hectares of land here is given over to providing natural habitats to wildlife.
East of England MEP Vicky Ford plans to put together a dossier of evidence to record the impact the new rule has on the region.
Matthew Hudson reports.