Stevenson Welcomes Ministerial Pledge To “Look Again” At IPPC Regulations Implementation

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed a commitment given by Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Ross Finnie that he will “look again” at the IPPC regulations.

The SNP MSP had invited Mr Finnie to Banffshire to tour a local farm and meet with farmers representatives. During the meeting, Mr Stevenson raised the issue of the cost to poultry farmers of the IPPC regulations which has been an issue of concern to his constituents involved in the poultry sector.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“Firstly, I was pleased that the Minister agreed to my request to come to Banffshire to meet with local farmers. There are a number of ongoing issues affecting the agriculture sector at the moment and I think this was a valuable opportunity to put across the local view at first hand.

“I know from my constituents involved in the sector that the cost of simply applying for an IPPC permit at just under £3600 is a huge concern, added to that a further £2500 per annum simply to operate. And all this is before any requirements which may be imposed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as a result of the new regime.

“I am pleased that the Minister seemed to recognise that there was a genuine issue of concern here and undertook to look at the matter.”