A legal challenge backed by the NFU and funded by its Legal Assistance Scheme has resulted in the Animal and Plant Health Agency scrapping a change to a guidance document for Approved Finishing Units, which left some farm businesses unable to operate.

The challenge followed a change to a guidance note to APHA vets relating to the authorisation of AFUs with grazing. The guidance change - which made it a requirement for each land parcel to either contain a building or border a land parcel containing a building - was made without any consultation with, or explanation to, the industry.

The legal challenge was brought by Gloucestershire farmer Richard Hewlett, who was represented by NFU legal panel firm Clarke Willmott Solicitors, and was supported by the NFU and its Legal Assistance Scheme.