Green rules unfairly target farmers
14 June 2000
Green rules unfairly target farmers
by FWi staff
FARMERS representatives have met environment minister Michael Meacher to argue that environmental regulations are unfairly targeting agriculture.
A National Farmers Union delegation told the minister that many of the governments regulations are inappropriate for farming and horticulture.
The union is particularly concerned about Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regulations and forthcoming Waste Regulations.
Under the rules, farmers who pollute will be heavily fined to ensure that the cost of environmental protection is borne by polluters rather than taxpayers.
NFU deputy president Tim Bennett welcomed the establishment of a taskforce on the issue but said that the policies were still a concern.
“The government is still following an agenda that will impose further burdens on an already hard pressed industry.”
He urged minister to ensure the effect of regulations on individual businesses are “proportionate to the scale of the problems being tackled”.
Mr Bennett said he believed there was now a strong case for the
what he termed the agricultural proofing of environmental regulations.
The agenda included the Countryside and Rights Of Way Bill, the pesticides tax and current and forthcoming policy and legislative proposals for water.
Delegates said a reliable water supply was essential farmers if are to meet food quality and animal health and welfare standards.
The NFU delegation also said the forthcoming Rural White Paper should include a statement of the governments intent to crack down on rural crime.