CLA

DEFRA has consulted on various changes to the Drinking Water Regulations.  The CLA has responded expressing concerns about the additional costs that could be imposed on the owners of private supplies and has urged firstly that any changes be proportionate to the potential problem and secondly that local authorities are subject to an obligation to keep them to a minimum.

The extensive list of Brexit bills highlights the scale of the task involved in preparing for Brexit. It is vital that ministers, officials, MPs and organisations like the CLA work closely together staying focused on helping businesses to invest, grow and create jobs.

Defra have announced that it is their intention to disband the ACP and replace it with a non-statutory expert scientific committee, providing advice to ministers.  Defra feel that the ACP, formed in 1985, no longer fulfils its original purpose.  At its inception, the bulk of regulation on pesticides was taken at Member State level, however by 2012, regulation is almost entirely passed at a European level.  Defra felt this was the preferred option and the CLA has conditionally welcomed the move.  It agrees that a new committee with a renewed remit is appropriate in light of recommendations made by the Chief Scientific Adviser, and independent reviews within Government

The CLA welcomes the consultation, and given the low, and declining level of BSE in the national herd, and the fact that specified risk materials are removed from all carcasses, the CLA agrees with the suggested changes.

The CLA feels that the current system for meat inspector is grossly over bureaucratic and is in need of root and branch reform.  Therefore the CLA is opposed

The Government has consulted on the merits of adding culling to the list of which Bovine TB can be controlled and eradicated. 

For years the CLA has been pressing the government to do more to mitigate the impact of bTB on rural business.  The effect the disease has had on farmers and others in the South West and the Midlands is appalling.  Thousands of cattle are slaughtered each year at huge financial and emotional cost to farmers.  Moreover the costs to the tax payer are significant and rising year on year.

The CLA opposes the FSA's proposal, it is felt that by allowing the consultation document itself shows that the FSA has prejudged the situation, assuming that anyone who disagrees with their interpretation is non-compliant with food law.  Thus they cannot be allowed to be judge, jury and executioner and the Food Business Operator must be allowed to remain in business to have the case heard by an independent appeal.

Whilst there is some genuine attempts to reduce regulation, the CLA finds the attempt to ban advertising to farmers frankly ridiculous, denying information to an industry in the internet age must surely be the last gasp of an out of touch bureaucracy desperate to micromanage.