The criticism stems from the government's action of sending out letters advising landlords they have been included in an NVZ – without providing information on how to appeal. It will be September before an appeals process is in place.

NFU president Ben Gill said: 'Farmers are being told they are in an NVZ without any avenue of recourse or natural justice readily available. Being designated as being within an NVZ has major implications for farmers.

Gill added, 'It is unacceptable that it will be at least several weeks before Defra has an appeals mechanism in place. Government lawyers have had long enough to prepare for this situation.'

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