Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, has called on the Government to re-think plans for controversial new regulations on farmers. In a Commons debate on the EU Nitrates Directive, Christopher Fraser said that 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 Christopher 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 that the Government continues to be out of touch with farmers and the agricultural sector. The Minister told those in the debate that he was ‘open-minded’ about the cover crops requirement. Whilst that is encouraging, I want his full assurances that the plans for autumn cover crops will not be enforced.
“I also asked the Minister whether the Government could give any guarantee of capital grants for farmers should it go ahead with proposals to increase slurry storage requirements. The agricultural sector is already struggling with animal disease, extreme weather conditions and endless red tape. I want farmers in Norfolk to know that I will continue to articulate their concerns about unnecessary burdens imposed by the Government.” |