The survey is seeking practical examples of where regulation could be made more proportionate and easier to manage
Welsh farmers are being asked to identify the rules creating the most paperwork, duplication and cost as NFU Cymru gathers evidence for a major review of agricultural regulation.
The union has launched a nationwide survey asking farm businesses which requirements are hardest to manage and what changes could make regulation more practical.
The findings will feed into the independent review announced in June and led by Brecon farmer and former NFU Cymru president John Davies.
NFU Cymru said it wants examples of where farmers face unnecessary complexity, repeated record-keeping or overlapping requirements.
Deputy president Paul Williams said: “We want to understand which requirements place the greatest administrative burden on farm businesses, where farmers believe that unnecessary complexity or duplication exists and what changes could make regulation more practical and therefore effective on farm.”
The review has already prompted an early change involving the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
At the Royal Welsh Show, Davies announced that requirements under the Animal Health Improvement Cycle in Universal Action 12 would be aligned with existing farm assurance requirements on animal health and welfare.
NFU Cymru said the move showed how duplication could potentially be reduced where farmers are already meeting similar standards through other schemes.
Williams said the survey was intended to complement the work already being carried out through meetings with farmers at shows, livestock markets and other events across Wales.
“Our survey is designed to complement the work that John is already undertaking and to provide an opportunity for every farming business to share their own experiences of how regulation impacts their day-to-day work,” he said.
The union stressed that it is not arguing for regulation to be removed altogether.
Instead, it wants rules to be more proportionate, easier to understand and better coordinated across different schemes and requirements.
“NFU Cymru is clear that regulation has an essential role to play in underpinning high standards on farm and ensuring that the consumer can have the utmost confidence in the food that we are proud to produce, but our position remains that regulation must be proportionate, workable and joined-up,” Williams said.
NFU Cymru said farmers should also be able to suggest practical solutions through the survey, rather than simply highlight problems.
Williams described the review as a major opportunity to reshape the regulatory system.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a more streamlined and effective regulatory regime in Wales, one that can be focussed on delivering positive outcomes for food, nature, climate and communities rather than adding unnecessary cost and bureaucracy to family farms,” he said.
The union said responses from different sectors and regions would help shape its submission to the independent review.
Williams added: “The survey not only provides an opportunity to highlight areas of concern but also to suggest solutions to deliver a more streamlined and effective regulatory framework in Wales.”
The NFU Cymru survey will remain open until 2 October 2026, with responses set to inform the union’s contribution to the wider review of farm regulation.