MP speaks out for Norfolk farmers

Thetford's MP Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, has called on the Government to re-think plans for controversial new regulations on farmers.

Mr Fraser claims the Government is 'out of touch with farmers'.

In a Commons debate on the EU Nitrates Directive, Mr Fraser said farmers in Norfolk were extremely worried about the predicted high costs of the new rules and the possible negative impact they might have on traditional farming practices.

Under the 1991 Directive, EU Member States needed to set up action programmes to reduce farming's nitrate 'footprint'. The European Commission is now calling on some member states, including Britain, to tighten up their action programmes.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Fraser said:"I have received stacks of letters from farmers who are deeply concerned by the proposed changes to the regulations. They are particularly worried about the new rules on slurry storage and the spreading of manures and the requirement for autumn cover crops – which are not even mandatory under the EU Directive.

"This gold-plating of the directive only goes to prove the Government continues to be out of touch with farmers and the agricultural sector."

During the debate, Mr Fraser asked for full assurances the plans for autumn cover crops would not be enforced and whether the Government

could give any guarantee of capital grants for farmers should it go ahead with proposals to increase slurry storage requirements.