The UK Government and EU must look beyond single-issue legislation in driving policy forward in the future according to The Agriculture Industries Confederation (AIC).

As part of a submission to the Government following a call for evidence as part of an overall Government review, the AIC talks about the balance of legislative power between the EU and UK, and its effect on agricultural industries.

“The Government is currently conducting this review on the balance of legislative power between the EU and the UK, and its effect on the UK’s interests. Work will continue throughout 2014 and will cover 32 topics,” says Jane Salter, Head of Environment Policy at AIC.

“The call for evidence on environment and climate change has just closed, and the call for evidence on agriculture begins in autumn. Clearly it is important that AIC makes the views of members known in the areas that affect us,” she added.

“Many people in the industry will be aware of the effect that legislation such as that covering crop protection products, the Nitrates Directive, and the Industrial Emissions Directive have or could have. AIC and its partners are also in the process of preparing additional evidence on the threats that the current legislative approach has on business interests, the sustainable intensification of agriculture and the development of future opportunities.”

“Single-issue legislation can result in unforeseen outcomes – solving one problem but creating another. We need alternative approaches that take into account the bigger picture and produce multiple benefits. After all that is what sustainable intensification is all about. We are adopting that approach in agriculture and we need our legislators to do the same.”

AIC has called for regular reviews of EU and UK legislation and outlined a four-point plan. This includes more broadly assessing the effects of legislation, examining evidence of where legislation fails to provide innovative solutions to produce more food and reach environmental goals as well as investigating UK decision making. Its plan also wants to consider opportunities for alternative policy drivers which could deliver multiple benefits.

Ultimately all the evidence submitted will be examined and topics chosen for further analysis and action.