Stop inspections plea

PRODUCING high-quality food against the backdrop of one of the most challenging springs on record is the priority, as

NFU Scotland has written to the Scottish Government with short and medium-term asks that will enable our farmers, cro ers and growers to continue to do this.

Agricultural businesses across Scotland, and the many businesses upstream and downstream that rely on them, have su ered as a result of sustained cold and wet weather.

The letter points out that lambing and calving have been extremely challenging, and that losses, late turnout and additional feeding requirements have resulted in significant financial and emotional pressures.

In our arable sectors, cereals and oilseeds businesses have, up until this week, been unable to get spring sown crops established, while winter sown crops have struggled so badly in some locations that they have been written o and will need resown.

Other routine but highly timedependent tasks, such as fertiliser and plant protection product applications, have not been completed. This will result in yield and financial losses come harvest time. Again, creating physical and financial pressures.

In the short term, NFUS is asking for:

• A temporary suspension of all farm-based inspection requirements

• A pragmatic approach to enforcement of environmental regulations, including elements of the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC), the Di use Pollution General Binding Rules (GBRs), and the requirements of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZs) Action Plans.

• A temporary derogation from Ecological Focus Area (EFA) Fallow requirements under Greening rules.