Changes and costs with no justification

NFU Cymru has reacted with dismay and will give an unequivocal message of opposition to the Environment Agency’s proposed changes to groundwater authorisation and its associated charges for 2010/2011.

NFU Cymru argues that the new EA proposals will affect farmers with existing groundwater authorisations for sheep dip disposal and pose a potential huge hike in cost for new applicants applying for the new bespoke permits.

In addition, the EA is introducing a new standard permit for disposing enzyme treated sheep dip which will have an application charge of £200 and an annual charge of £76.45. This compares to the current fees of £150 for application and £152 annual fee. They also incredibly propose that existing groundwater permit holders will have to pay a variation charge of £75 to be able to migrate to the new standard permit.

Bernard Llewellyn, NFU Cymru’s Rural Affairs Board Chairman said, "The EA have given no justification on how they have arrived at this transfer fee and it gives absolutely no encouragement for people wishing to use the enzyme treatment which helps mitigate potential environmental problems.

"It also concerns me that should the enzyme treatment be too costly or the enzyme is unavailable in future then farmers wishing to dispose of their dip would then have to reapply for a bespoke permit at a cost of £390."

Mr Llewellyn ended, "NFU Cymru simply cannot endorse or support the Agency’s proposals and this is how we will be responding on behalf of NFU Cymru members. We would also encourage any individual authorisation holders to do so as well before the 16th December 2009."