Recommendation 5

Defra and the regulators are not doing enough to provide guidance and support to help farms and other businesses comply. Most businesses want to comply with environmental regulations, but farmers and other businesses need more assistance than they currently get from the regulators so that it is as easy as possible to do so. The regulators have started making changes to address this and improve their guidance. This includes adding real-life case studies so that businesses better understand how regulations should operate, and using digital communications such as automated chat messaging to help direct businesses towards the relevant online guidance more quickly. 5 However, Defra is planning initiatives that will add further complexity for the farming sector, including changes to the environmental land management schemes and publishing its 25-year vision for agriculture. The launch of the new water regulator will also create additional burdens and regulatory touchpoints for farmers. recommendation Defra should assess how upcoming changes will affect the way farmers need to engage with regulators. This should include the impact of the new water regulator, updates to Environmental Land Management schemes, and the upcoming farming roadmap. Defra should report to us within six months on how disruptions will be minimised and the progress made on: - Understanding the implications of the new water regulator; - Understanding the impact of changes to farming policy and how it will allow farmers sufficient time for transition; and - Ensuring that farmers are sufficiently supported.