A group of leading Government lawyers have visited two Warwickshire farms to see, quite literally, what life is like in the field.
Nine legal experts from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) visited farms in Gaydon and Harbury to see how new policies were affecting farmers.
Paul Rice – a lawyer in Wright Hassall’s expanding farming and rural business unit, made the visit possible. He specialises in advising farmers on the new Single Payment Scheme and said the visit from DEFRA lawyers had proved to be a very worthwhile.
He said: “It was chance for those who are advising the Government’s decision makers to see what is really happening on the ground.
“It was also an opportunity for them to get out of the office and get a genuine feel for the impact that current reforms are having on farmers.
“They got to see an arable and mixed-use farm and both gave an insight into how policies such as SPS have made a difference to rural life. Because of the wealth of contacts and clients Wright Hassall has within farming, it means I have had a considerable amount of useful feedback from many farmers and landowners in the and Warwickshire area.
“But I also think the farmers appreciated the chance to discuss the changes with those who are involved directly with the reforms that affect them.”
