FARMERS could soon have to apply for a licence to harvest crops where a dormouse may be breeding.

The proposal follows a ruling by the European Court of Justice covering European protected species and their natural habitats.

Until now, it has not been classed as an offence if a farmer has accidentally damaged a dormouse nest.

"But now, without a licence obtained in advance - which will take up to 30 days to process - the farmer will be fined," said David Fursdon, national president of the Country Land and Business Association.

He described the proposal as ridiculous.

The situation is even more bizarre because the EU rules limit the grounds on which licences can be granted and do not cover basic agriculture or forestry.

The only way a farmer could obtain one would be by showing there were "imperative reasons of overriding public interest".

The regulations also cover the removal of bats and great crested newts.

The Government is concerned that if it does not introduce the tighter restrictions, it could face heavy penalties from Europe for not fully implementing the regulations. There is no proposal to charge for the licences, but farmers will have to apply to the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).

"Our members' experiences of such licences through Defra has not been ideal. On occasions, they have been poorly administered and changes poorly publicised," said Mr Fursdon.

"We hope Defra will arrange a system that involves minimum bureaucracy and lets farmers and land managers get on with their job of managing the countryside."

Consultations on the proposals end on Friday, June 30, with the regulations expected to be introduced in October.