Opinions on Improving Farm Regulation Wanted

UK - 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.
calendar icon 6 August 2010
clock icon 3 minute read

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 here and written submissions can be sent here.

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