What’s your worst red tape moment?

Mar 18 2008 by Dai Davies, Western Mail

NFU Cymru members are being urged to complete a survey designed to outline the impact of regulation and inspections on their farm businesses.

The survey, which can be completed online, aims to give a clearer picture of the regulatory burden faced by farmers.

It has been prompted by the Government’s Better Regulation agenda, a significant part of which focuses on reducing the administrative burden of regulation on private businesses by 25% by 2010.

The regulatory burden being placed on farmers and their businesses has increased dramatically in recent years and it is vital we have a clear picture of the situation so we can raise awareness among MPs and Assembly Members about its impact on farmers and their businesses.

It is important that the Welsh Assembly is made aware of the impact of regulation on farmers and what needs to be done to reduce it.

This survey will give us hard facts we can use when we meet with MPs and AMs and policy makers and will help us influence regulatory decisions in the future.

Members are being asked to show if the Welsh Assembly Government’s attempts to lower the regulatory burden are having any impact on them and their businesses so far.

Their views are also being sought on whether the regulation they face is proportionate or excessive and whether it is easy to deal with or gets in the way of business management.

The survey also asks whether they have been subjected to multiple inspections in the past six months and about the most irritating and burdensome piece of regulation they have come across in the last year.