29-Jun-2006
- Workshops to help pig and poultry farmers across
England understand new regulations to control
pollution have been organised by the Environment
Agency, National Farmers’ Union and pig and poultry
industry organisations including the National
Pig Association.
Pollution Prevention Control
(PPC) regulations will require large-scale pig
and poultry farms to have a permit in order to
control the impact they have on the environment.
Operators are being urged to prepare in good time
to make their applications.
Rob Robinson, Agricultural Policy
Manager for the Environment Agency said: "Farmers
have told us they sometimes find new regulations
daunting and difficult to understand.
"So it is important we
communicate with them the in best way possible
to make things as easy as we can for farmers.
This is why we have been working closely with
the farming industry organisations like the National
Farmers’ Union to set up these workshops and put
all the new legislation into context."
In order to continue to operate
legally, farms with places for more than 1000
breeding sows, or 2,000 production pigs and poultry
producers with more than 40,000 birds will have
to apply for permits between November 2006 and
January 2007. At present failure to comply could
lead to fines of up to £20,000 or a three-month
custodial sentence.
With around 1,200 producers
estimated to be affected by the new legislation,
both the Environment Agency and NFU are keen to
ensure the application process is as straightforward
as possible.
National Farmers' Union Poultry
Board chairman, Charles Bourns said: "We
are supporting the Environment Agency to hold
these workshops. They are a really useful opportunity
for producers to get a handle on the new legislation
and submit an application in time to meet the
deadline."
National Pig Association manager,
Barney Kay said: "These workshops are an
excellent opportunity for the producers to receive
advice on completing their applications which
should help eliminate errors in filling out the
forms."
Over 20 workshops are taking place across England
during July and August. For details of your nearest
free workshop contact your regional NFU office,
NPA on 0247 685 8780 or BEIC on 020 10008 31000.
To obtain a free information pack on the new requirements,
please contact the Environment Agency on 08708
506506, visit the Environment Agency website,
or email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Head Office Press Office
