Farmers invited to give views on red tape

Farmers, growers and food processors are being invited to give DEFRA their views on effective ways to reduce regulatory burden.
 
The new Task Force on Farming Regulation is currently reviewing regulation affecting farmers, growers and food processors. Are there regulations that go beyond what is actually required? Or are they too complex or do they have unnecessary red tape – whether form filling, record keeping or inspections?.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Jim Paice said: “There is too much red tape tying up our farmers and food businesses.

“I have challenged the Task Force to make recommendations that will change culture in both Government and business. The focus will be on outcomes, risk-based solutions and proportionate enforcement. They must think beyond ‘traditional’ regulation and enforcement, while maintaining our high public and environmental protection standards.”

Farmers can comment in these areas:

• Farm animals
  Dairy, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry and farmed fish
• Growing and crops
  Arable and horticulture 
• Food processing
  Meat, milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables etc 
• Business & management
  Planning, labour, health & safety, tax, farm retail etc 
• Environment & land management
  Air, soil, water, waste, access etc

Are there regulations you think are unnecessary and which could be removed without lowering standards for business, the public or the environment?  Suggest why they are not needed.

Are there regulations that go beyond what is required? Or are they too complex or do they have unnecessary red tape – whether form filling, record keeping or inspections?

The consultation will be open until 31 October. Evidence can be submitted online at  engage.defra.gov.uk/farm-regulation/ Written submissions can be sent to FarmRegulationTaskForce@defra.gsi.gov.uk or to Task Force on Farming Regulation, Area 8D Millbank, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.

All comments will be captured and recorded in summary in the Task Force’s final report in 2011.