Farmer to Take on Mountain of Red Tape Reviewers

FORMER NFU Cymru president Peredur Hughes is to oversee Cardiff’s forthcoming review of farming red tape.

The Anglesey producer, currently the regional board chairman in Wales for NFU Mutual, will act as an external advisor as the Assembly Government attempts to cut paperwork for farmers.

A stakeholder group is now being appointed and will advise on areas such as farm inspections, auditing and European policy.

Mr Hughes will act as a link between the review team and the industry.

The review was announced earlier this month by rural affairs minister Elin Jones following followed mounting concern over the growing paperwork mountain in agriculture.

The appointment comes in the wake of stinging criticism by shadow finance minister Angela Burns in an Assembly debate on farm bureaucracy.

Claiming the review would have “no teeth”, she called for a 25% reduction on red tape and a single inspection body to avoid multiple farm visits.

She said: “I can think of no other industry where the burden of red tape is so cumbersome and exhaustive and where the consequences of minor error can be so disastrous.”

Mr Hughes, 62, who farms with his son on 400 acres in Llanddeusant, last year stepped down as a director of Hybu Cig Cymru. He is also a former director of Eifionydd Farmers.

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