The National Farmers' Union of Wales (NFU Cymru) has expressed concern at proposals for increases to Natural Resource Wales' (NRW) regulatory fees and charges.

NRW is consulting on its charging scheme, with potential changes to be implemented from April 1, 2023, subject to Welsh government approval.

The consultation includes a number of proposals relating to farming, including:

NFU Cymru reaction

NFU Cymru rural affairs board chairman Hedd Pugh said farmers will be dismayed at NRW's proposals, following pressures already faced by farm businesses for energy, feed and fertiliser.

"While we understand that the NRW has a duty to recover costs and is unable to cross-subsidise various charging regimes, farmers will be astonished at the scale of the proposed cost increases," he said.

Pugh said that the NRW proposals to increase sheep-dip costs will hinder efforts to eradicate sheep scab.

"Given the limited options available for treatment of sheep scab - with dipping one of the best options available - farmers will be justified in feeling frustrated at the complete lack of co-ordination across government and its agencies," he said.

"For pig and poultry farmers, the proposed increase in charges for new, and variations to, permits come at an already worrying time for the sectors," he added.

"We want farming to continue to improve its environmental performance, but these cost increases could be seen as a disincentive to improve management practices or limit the availability of diversification and management options for farmers in Wales in the future," Pugh said.

Ahead of the NRW consultation closing date of January 6, 2023, NFU Cymru has said it will be consulting with its members and exploring every opportunity to keep costs to a minimum.