LIVESTOCK farmers in Oxfordshire are being invited to give their views on ways to cut red tape and streamline farm inspections, at a workshop event next month.

The National Farmers’ Union is organising the event in Thame, between 11am and 1pm on October 1, and wants farmers to share their views on the current inspection system.

The NFU has been asked by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to lead a review of red tape in agriculture as part of the Government’s Business Focus on Enforcement review to examine how regulations are operating on the ground.

Annie Vernon, the NFU’s area adviser for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, said: “We need farmers’ views, as this is our chance to present evidence from an industry perspective directly to the Government, evidence that may later be used to influence government policy.

“We expect to hear from livestock farmers who are concerned about the frequency of inspections by national regulators and councils, the duplication that occurs and the impact this has on their business.

"We would particularly like farmers who have had a local authority visit in the past five years to come along.”

The workshop also aims to evaluate the quality of communication around the inspection regime and the value of inspection visits to farmers.

Farmers who would like to attend should register with the NFU’s South East regional office on 01730 711950.