Issues surrounding water is the number one concern for Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) when it comes to reducing unnecessary government red tape.

The farm lobby group recently met to discuss the issue with the province's agriculture sub-committee of the Red Tape Reduction Task Force.

KAP President Dan Mazier says the major issue is with the backlog of applications for water control works and drainage.

"We even have to issue a permit to get minor works done and it is creating quite a backlog, especially for farmers and also RM's," he commented. "The system right now is really not working at all for landowners and farmers."

Other concerns discussed included simplifying the installation and inspection of grain dryers, as well as removing the hard dates in the spring and fall for nutrient application.

KAP has commended the province for modernizing farm building codes, as well as regulations specific to hog barn construction.