Union calls for a Brexit bonfire of red tape

A FARMING union is calling for the Government to use Brexit as an opportunity to rethink its approach to regulation in the agricultural sector.

Speaking at the launch of its new report, A Regulatory Regime That’s Fit for Purpose, NFU Cymru president Stephen James said: “There is now an opportunity to take a fresh look at how we do regulation and set out our own vision for the new regulatory landscape, as part of our ambition for a productive, profitable and progressive farming industry which delivers the jobs, growth and investment Wales needs, while continuing to ensure the highest standards of protection for the environment, animal health and welfare and the public.

“We recognise our responsibility to the environment, our livestock and to the consumer. Poor and excessive regulation does, however, impose burdens on businesses which are disproportionate to the benefits derived, adding cost and deterring innovation.

“There are, however, ways of working which stop short of the heavy-handed regulatory approach but which are, in my view, just as effective. These include partnership working and voluntary measures which still allow the sector to deliver the outcomes that society wants.”

Mr James said Welsh ministers should make full use of powers in Wales’ Environment Act 2015, which allows them to suspend statutory requirements for experimental schemes which could open up the possibility of partnership working and voluntary measures with the industry.

He added: “Farmers who are at low risk of infringing rules, and those who go further than statutory minimums through voluntary schemes, should be rewarded for this effort when compliance with regulation is being assessed, and should be at reduced risk of being selected for inspection. This concept of earned recognition should feature in the design and implementation of future regulation.

“Where regulation is deemed necessary, then it should also be appropriate, proportionate, evidence-based and as ‘light touch’ as possible. We also need to be focused on the outcomes that we want the regulation to deliver and not to become too preoccupied with the process itself.

“We need regulators to talk to one another and share information so that they do not duplicate workloads and add to the burden faced by farmers.”