The new Task Force
on Farming Regulation are calling for opinions and ideas on ways
to improve approaches to regulation as part of a wide ranging
consultation launched today.
The Task Force has been challenged to find ways of reducing the
bureaucratic burdens that English farmers and food producers face.
In particular the Task Force are seeking examples of:
· regulations that are unnecessary and could be removed without
lowering standards for business, the public or the environment;
· regulations that have had additional and unnecessary measures
added to them; and
· regulations that are overly complex or disproportionate in the
way that they are implemented or enforced.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Jim Paice said:
“Regulations have nearly always been put in place for good
reasons but not necessarily in the best way. 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.”
Richard Macdonald, the Task force chairman said:
“We want farmers, growers and the food industry, who often
complain about excessive regulation and bureaucratic processes, to
help us to improve the system. This is a major consultation
exercise to identify the issues and find solutions and we
encourage all interested parties to submit evidence personally or
through trade and representative bodies.
“It is our intention also to get out and meet farmers, growers
and food processors to get first hand views on what's
wrong and explore new and alternative ways to current regulations
and processes.”
The consultation will be open until 31 October. Evidence can be
submitted online at http://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.
Notes to editors
· The Task Force on Farming Regulation was announced by Jim Paice
at Cereals 2010 on 9 June 2010.
· Full Terms of Reference and details of Task Force members can
be found at /ww2.defra.gov.uk/2010/07/09/farm-review/
Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk