Input costs and red tape are the current two top concerns for farmers in Meirionnydd, according to a recent NFU Cymru county meeting.
Eifion Davies, County Chairman, said he welcomed Welsh Government Deputy Minister Alun Davies’ setting up of a Working Smarter Programme to deliver better regulations and process improvement in the farming industry in Wales.
’We really do hope that this time around the task force will make a difference with easily and quickly delivered solutions,’ the NFU Cymru County Chairman said. ’Too many agencies with separate staff are currently involved in checking compliance and it seems they have different agendas. Farmers will not knowingly break rules and it is often complexity that leads to inadvertent and minor breaches. Rules relating to sheep movements are a case in point and it’s a fact that, in comparison, there are slightly different rules for cattle movements.
’We also have a Farm Assurance Scheme in Wales covering a high proportion of livestock and yet, at the moment, this is barely recognised by those in authority in spite of the fact that standards are independently verified and inspected.
’Things must change and must change quickly. We look forward to the action plan emanating from the Working Smarter Programme. NFU Cymru will be contributing to the programme, which is due to report to the Deputy Minister in the next few weeks. Let us hope 2012 will be the year that red tape in the industry is finally tackled and streamlined,’ Mr Davies added.