The NFU has responded to a recent Environment Agency consultation on its charging regime for 2012-2015.
Unlike previous years where the Environment Agency has consulted on its charging schemes for the next 12 months, it consulted for a three year period from 2012-15.
• The Agency’s proposals included no change to the rate of charges for the majority of charge payers for two years, but with a check at the end of each year and a possible small increase in charges in year three.
• Changes to abstraction charges, and other technical changes were also proposed.
In response, we stated that in principle we agreed with the Agency’s proposals to set charges for 3 years with an annual review. This will give agricultural businesses more certainty over a longer time period. However, we urged the Agency that any cost savings that accumulated during the 3 year period be picked up at the annual review and reflected in any changes to the charging scheme at the earliest opportunity.
As ever, one of our biggest concerns with the Agency proposals is the lack of transparency and we called for greater transparency in how the Agency derives its charges. And we specifically rejected a number of the Agency proposals on changes to abstraction charges on this basis.
The NFU’s full response is available to view in the Related documents section immediately above this article. The Environment Agency’s consultation proposals are available to view here.
No comments have been made.