The agricultural sector is increasingly subject to regulation, from the UK government, the devolved administrations and the European Union.
Our lawyers have in-depth experience of advising farmers, country estates and agricultural businesses on the regulatory framework affecting those who work in the countryside.
In particular, we advise farmers in relation to agricultural subsidies, quotas and reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy. We have represented farmers in disputes with Defra and the National Assembly for Wales over the allocation and value of entitlements and the Rural Payments Agency's administration of the single payment scheme.
We also provide specialist advice to the food and farming industries on the application of European legislation and on cross-border trade within the EU. Our laywers have represented clients in cases before the European Court of Justice and in complaints to the European Commission.