Heavy handed inspections must be avoided

The NFU has written to UK Farming Minister Lord Bach seeking reassurance following disturbing reports about the application of cross-compliance regulations by Rural Payment Agency inspectors.

Farmer accounts of these inspections received by the NFU fall well short of the ‘light touch’ approach Defra is aiming for through the recently launched ‘Partners for Success’.

NFU President, Tim Bennett, said: “I hope that the heavy-handedness reported by our members is simply a few RPA inspectors being over zealous during the early stages of the inspection process.

“Nevertheless, I thought it was prudent to raise the NFU’s concerns with Lord Bach in person and in writing, so that farmers can get a clear idea of what is expected when the inspectors come on to the farm.”