UFU fears mounting paperwork

FARMERS IN Northern Ireland are bewildered by the ‘avalanche of paperwork‘ which has emerged in recent months, according to the Ulster Farmers Union.

UFU president Campbell Tweed has criticised the volume of new bureaucracy which farmers are currently having to deal with. 

“The reform of the CAP and the introduction of the single farm payment was an opportunity for simplification,” he said. 

“Unfortunately there is a strong feeling among farmers that the opposite is happening. 

“There has been a constant stream of booklets issued to farmers containing new rules relating to the single farm payment and cross-compliance. 

“We also have confusion surrounding the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme, we have new Agricultural Waste regulations under consideration and now the new mapping exercise has been completely unsatisfactory, leaving many farmers unsure what to do with their 2005 IACS form. 

“The whole situation has become completely unacceptable and both DARD ands DOE need to review their delivery procedures and stop gold-plating EU rules.”