A Welsh Government decision to appoint extra farm liaison officers to improve geographical coverage and provide more farmers with easy access to information and guidance was welcomed by the Farmers' Union of Wales today.
The intention to recruit additional Farm Liaison Service staff was one of a series of commitments delivered by deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies in a Working Smarter (Better Regulation) update.
"Farm liaison officers have provided crucial support to Welsh farmers during the past 10 years and we welcome the deputy minister's announcement that a recruitment drive for more officers is already underway," said FUW president Emyr Jones.
"The FUW has consistently called for less government red tape so we are pleased that written communication to farmers will also improve following the issuing of new guidance calling on staff to avoid using technical terminology and jargon.
"We welcome the deputy minister's announcement that the Welsh Government website now includes a helpful and easy to follow checklist to ease concerns and ensure that farmers are able to prepare properly for a cross compliance inspection.
"We also approve of his commitment to farmers that they will receive an explanatory letter when their Single Payment Scheme (SPS) payment does not arrive at the expected time - due to an outstanding query - so that they are able to plan their finances accordingly.
"The need for such changes has been highlighted by the FUW repeatedly over the years, particularly during meetings with Gareth Williams who compiled the Working Smarter recommendations."
The deputy minister's update is available on-line at:http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/workingsmarter/workingsmartertable/?lang=en