25 October 2006
Government too "chicken" to defer payments...
Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown today met with three poultry farmers from his constituency, at a mass lobby organised by the National Farmer’s Union (NFU). The lobby was organised to request a three-year waiver on costs for the new Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations.
Mr Clifton-Brown with Cotswolds farmers: Mr Bob Iles of Quenington, Mr Robert Spackman of Kempsford and Mr Robert Phipps of Wyck Bacon, near Bourton-on-the-Water.Mr Clifton-Brown, who is a farmer himself, said: “It was great pleasure to meet my constituents earlier today, as a result I have now written to Lord Rooker, the Minister responsible, demanding to know why it is only British farmers who will be footing the bill for these regulations. I will also asking him to note that these charges come while farming is in a very fragile state in this country, and that they could help drive Cotswolds farmers out of business. It will almost certainly affect the sustainability of farming in Gloucestershire as this will be an ongoing cost."
Mr Clifton-Brown added:
"I welcome the implementation of pollution prevention and control measures within the poultry industry, but it is critical that the fees associated with these regulations are the same across the EU. The current charges threaten to undermine the competitiveness of the UK poultry industry and an external investigation is required to establish the basis for them. These measures are important but they must be proportionate and affordable. I will be making this clear to the Minister responsible.”
The permits are issued in line with the EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC), which aims to prevent or reduce pollution. Currently, farmers must apply for an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit between 1 November 2006 and 31 January 2007. About 1200 applications are expected from the pig and poultry sectors. Current IPPC charges will cost: £3, 331 for the application fee (the cost demanded by the Environment Agency for a permit); and between £2,229 - £2,794 (depending on size) for the annual fee.
The IPPC will mean that UK poultry farmers will be forced to apply for a permit between 1 November and 31 January 2007. The application fee for the permit alone will be £3,331. there is a subsequent yearly fee of £2,229, and do not include the initial capital investment needed to bring farms in line with the regulations.
Photo: Mr Clifton-Brown with the three farmers who visited Westminster today: Mr Bob Iles of Quenington, Mr Robert Spackman of Kempsford and Mr Robert Phipps of Wyck Bacon, near Bourton-on-the-Water.
Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown today met with three poultry farmers from his constituency, at a mass lobby organised by the National Farmer’s Union (NFU). The lobby was organised to request a three-year waiver on costs for the new Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations.
Mr Clifton-Brown with Cotswolds farmers: Mr Bob Iles of Quenington, Mr Robert Spackman of Kempsford and Mr Robert Phipps of Wyck Bacon, near Bourton-on-the-Water.Mr Clifton-Brown, who is a farmer himself, said: “It was great pleasure to meet my constituents earlier today, as a result I have now written to Lord Rooker, the Minister responsible, demanding to know why it is only British farmers who will be footing the bill for these regulations. I will also asking him to note that these charges come while farming is in a very fragile state in this country, and that they could help drive Cotswolds farmers out of business. It will almost certainly affect the sustainability of farming in Gloucestershire as this will be an ongoing cost."
Mr Clifton-Brown added:
"I welcome the implementation of pollution prevention and control measures within the poultry industry, but it is critical that the fees associated with these regulations are the same across the EU. The current charges threaten to undermine the competitiveness of the UK poultry industry and an external investigation is required to establish the basis for them. These measures are important but they must be proportionate and affordable. I will be making this clear to the Minister responsible.”
The permits are issued in line with the EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC), which aims to prevent or reduce pollution. Currently, farmers must apply for an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit between 1 November 2006 and 31 January 2007. About 1200 applications are expected from the pig and poultry sectors. Current IPPC charges will cost: £3, 331 for the application fee (the cost demanded by the Environment Agency for a permit); and between £2,229 - £2,794 (depending on size) for the annual fee.
The IPPC will mean that UK poultry farmers will be forced to apply for a permit between 1 November and 31 January 2007. The application fee for the permit alone will be £3,331. there is a subsequent yearly fee of £2,229, and do not include the initial capital investment needed to bring farms in line with the regulations.
Photo: Mr Clifton-Brown with the three farmers who visited Westminster today: Mr Bob Iles of Quenington, Mr Robert Spackman of Kempsford and Mr Robert Phipps of Wyck Bacon, near Bourton-on-the-Water.
