EU GROUNDWATER DIRECTIVE

Early day motion 631, tabled 12 February 2004 by Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative). Signed by 39 members.

That this House deeply regrets the cessation of the waiver of farmers' annual charges in relation to groundwater authorisations in England and Wales which will be phased out from 1st April; and recognises the financial burden that this will impose on individual farm businesses and the fact that an uneven playing field will be created, as water companies can pass the charges on to and then recover the cost from their consumers, whereas farmers cannot.

Signatures by party: Conservative 34, Labour 3, Independent Conservative 2.