‘Astonishment’ at new NRW fees

FARMING leaders have expressed alarm at “eye-watering” increases proposed by Natural Resource Wales (NRW) to its regulatory fees and charges.

The increases, set out in the NRW consultation on permits and licences launched on October 10, will cover several charging regimes from April 2023.

They include a 10-fold increase, to £3,728, in the cost of new applications for land spreading of spent or unused sheep dip. Changes are also proposed for permits in relation to the rearing of pigs and poultry, with the cost of new applications rising from £7,322 to £9,270.

The costs of variations of these permits is proposed to rise from £388 to £5,562.

NRW also wants a 6% increase for some of the annual fees it charges for monitoring and assessing compliance with permit conditions.

Hedd Pugh, chairman of NFU Cymru rural affairs board, said many farmers have been “astonished” by the timing and scale of the proposals.

He said: “In the context of the very significant inflationary pressures faced by farm businesses for key inputs such as energy, feed and fertiliser, many farmers will be dismayed at NRW’S proposals.

“While we understand that NRW has a duty to recover costs, and is unable to cross-subsidise various charging regimes, farmers will be astonished at the scale of the proposed cost increases.

“They will be disappointed that NRW has not made more effort to streamline the application process and deliver efficiencies to reduce costs.”

NRW’S proposed 10-fold hike in sheep dip disposal costs will hinder efforts to eradicate sheep scab, said Mr Pugh.

This is despite the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group identifying the disease as a long-standing priority for the sector.

“Given the limited options available for treatment of sheep scab – with dipping one of the best options available – farmers will be justified in feeling frustrated at the complete lack of co-ordination across government and its agencies,” said Mr Pugh.

“The proposals are short-sighted and ill thought out and NFU Cymru will be seeking a full breakdown and justification from NRW for these eyewatering increases.”

NRW said its charging review – the largest since the organisation was established in 2013 – aims to create a regime that works “better for business and the environment” as well as reducing taxpayer burdens.