Levy body review announced - UK - UK and Devolved Administration Agriculture Ministers today announced arrangements for an independent review of farming and food levy bodies, including their roles, responsibilities and funding.

Rosemary Radcliffe, former Chief Economist at Pricewaterhouse Coopers and until recently Independent Complaints Commissioner for the Financial Services Authority, will carry out the review of all GB and UK statutory agriculture and horticulture levy boards - the British Potato Council, Home Grown Cereals Authority, Horticultural Development Council, Meat and Livestock Commission, and Milk Development Council

The review will take as given the devolution of agricultural policy and the federal bodies created post-devolution under the umbrella of the Meat and Livestock Commission.

Rosemary Radcliffe will start work on 4 April and report to Ministers by the end of October this year.

Levy boards are public bodies which, supported by compulsory levies from industry, promote their sectors' produce, fund research and development, collect and disseminate market information and carry out other coordinating activities for their sectors.

The review forms part of the government's response to Lord Haskins' recommendations on modernising rural delivery.

Food and Farming Minister Larry Whitty said:

"Rosemary Radcliffe has been appointed to carry out a thorough and fundamental review of the levy boards' rationale and their roles, organisation, funding and functions. The review should take account of the evolution of our agriculture, horticulture and food industries and their needs for sustainable, competitive and diverse development.

"With the cooperation of all concerned, I believe that this review has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future of our UK agriculture and horticulture."

Levy payers, businesses, organisations and consumers will be able to contribute to the review, which will take account of the respective priorities of the UK government and Devolved Administrations for their own agriculture, horticulture and food sectors.

To see the review's Terms of Reference go to www.defra.gov.uk/farm/schemes/levy-bodies/index.htm.

Source: Defra - 15th March 2005