We are all aware of the increasing pressure being put on farms from environmental regulation, ongoing market volatility and the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
The proposed introduction of environmental permitting in England is particularly concerning, with the government restating its ambition to extend permitting to the dairy and ‘intensive beef’ sectors in January of this year.
The conversations around permitting the cattle sectors have been ongoing since 2018 and has been motivated by concerns over both water and air quality – see a timeline of our lobbying work on EPR.
With a Defra consultation on extending environmental permitting expected to be released this year, the NFU has been pushing for an industry-led solution to be included as an alternative option to permitting – one that delivers for both the environment and the farm business.
This is where you come in.
“The government needs to work with the industry to help deliver improvement, rather than implement a harsh permitting regime that will add significant cost, paperwork and burden on farm and not necessarily deliver the expected outcomes.”
NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins
NFU survey
We are collecting data to showcase the ongoing work taking place on dairy farms to drive environmental improvement and demonstrate accountability.
The survey will also help us to highlight areas of risk where further advice, funding or support may be needed to drive improvement.
If we are to get Defra and the Environment Agency on board with an industry-led solution, it has to be a credible alternative to regulation.
As an industry we do have a shared responsibility to improve compliance and reduce pollution rates. But I also fully believe that the government needs to work with the industry to help deliver improvement, rather than implement a harsh permitting regime that will add significant cost, paperwork and burden on farm and not necessarily deliver the expected outcomes.
It is vital that we hear from you, please do take 10-15 minutes to complete the survey before it closes on 8 May.
