MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY MR PETER SMART,
SMART FARMS (V17)
I am a poultry farmer within the West Gloucestershire
Constituency under Diana Organ MP.
I have spoken of my concerns regarding the above
with Diana.
My point is that the proposed charges for an
application and thereafter annual fees are ludicrous. For my sized
units we are going to be expected to pay £18,000 per unit
and £8,250 per unit per annum thereafter.
Whilst I am not totally opposed to all business's
having a license permitting them to operate (like restaurants
and fast food outlets etc.) in order to regulate the industry
and keep out the cowboys, the costs should be reasonable.
I have already filed a loss on my accounts for
the year ending March 1999 as a result of the strong pound. The
loss for the year ending March 2000 will be considerably greater.
Adding IPPC charges as currently proposed will
further increase my losses, and eventually be the nail in the
coffin that closes yet another rural farming business. If just
can not be afforded.
A much more simple and cheaper scheme is needed.
Also, why are pig and poultry farmers singled
out? What about other large livestock businesses such as dairies?
What about large arable farms and the amount of chemicals and
fertilisers kept and used on them? If there is going to be regulation
and licensing they should be included as well.
The whole concept needs careful examination
and thought. I am not anti the concept, I am just anti the ridiculous
costs and the unfairness of isolating the pig and poultry industries
from the rest of agriculture.
Finally, please don't make us even more uncompetitive
with the rest of Europe and the rest of the world than we are
already.
7 January 2000
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