The Farmers Mart Aug-Sep 2018 - Issue 58 | Page 21

FARM NEWS 21 • AUG/SEP 2018 Farming regulation changes proposed A major simplification of the way we regulate farming has been proposed in an interim report published today by Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the Farm Inspection and Regulation Review. The report sets out the problems with the current system of regulation, largely borne out of the requirements of membership of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It finds that farmers and regulators alike are exasperated by the demands of regulation, which are unduly precise and inflexible. As we leave the EU, there is an opportunity to rebuild trust be- tween the regulating authority and the farmer, which would maintain high standard on farms and support farmers to comply. The way we regulate now exasperates responsible farmers and regulators alike. Some of our regulations are unduly precise and inflexible. Tightly-drawn European regulation can have adverse consequences for farm businesses and lead to a lack of transparency in the food chain. It inevitably sours relationships between the farmer and the regulatory authority. Inflexible regula- tion can lead farmers to hide their mistakes and naturally, that undermines any trust between the regulating authority and the farmer. The Review estimates 150,000 farm inspections are carried out each year by multiple agencies such as the Rural Pay- ments Agency, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Natural England and local author- ities to meet the strict criteria of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. The report discusses the opportunity to use a single field force to conduct more meaningful farm inspections, as part of a more flexible, proportionate regulation. A simpler and more targeted regulatory system would be an immensely powerful tool in achieving the government’s environ- mental objectives and supporting farmers to uphold standards. https://www.gov.uk/government/ organisations/department-for-environment- food-rural-affairs Quality Helaform sliding door systems have been sold by Barrier Components since 1987. Ideal for industrial and agricultural sliding doors, their range of galvanized and stainless steel systems provide robust hanging system solutions for doors up to 2000kg in weight. Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.barrier-components.co.uk National competition for primary schools THE NFU is today launching its Farmven- tion competition which aims to get primary school children designing and creating their own food and farming products. The launch comes ahead of the next school year to give teachers time to plan for the competition and applications will be open from 6 September. The competition, which provides a choice of three problem-based challenges, will focus on engaging children with key topics such as science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as getting them thinking about the everyday challenges farmers in Britain face. These three challenges to choose from are: • Design a tractor of the future • Design an environment for a flock of 100 laying hens • D esign a new snack product that uses one or more of the following four Brit- ish foods; milk, beef, beetroot or oats Each challenge is supported by cur- riculum linked resources which the NFU created in partnership with the Association for Science Education (ASE). The winning school will be announced at the House of Commons during British Sci- ence and Engineering Week, with the chance to win the grand prize experience of having the school turn into a farm for the day. https://www.farmvention.com/