Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How was the Strategy developed?
- What will the Farm Regulation and Charging Strategy mean for farmers?
- How does this fit with other Defra initiatives such as the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy (SFFS), the Whole Farm Approach, or the Hampton Review programme?
- How will Government improve the information and advice it gives to farmers?
- How can farmers (and others) find out about forthcoming legislation?
- How much is the Strategy going to cost?
- On the one hand Defra is going to simplify regulations, but on the other there is a great long list of new measures in the pipeline, and they are going to create new costs too. Isn’t this contradictory?
- Is the Strategy going to introduce new charges?
- How is Defra going to ensure that this Strategy is implemented?
- Will the Strategy change the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) or Entry Level Scheme (ELS)?
- As a farmer, I want to get involved with this. What can I do?
How was the Strategy developed?
It was developed over a period of 18 months with input from over 700 farmers, as well as farming representatives and wider rural interests. We also surveyed delivery agents and policy-makers about the effectiveness and efficiency of farm regulation. The evidence gathered during these consultations shaped the Strategy’s priorities.
What will the Farm Regulation and Charging Strategy mean for farmers?
It will mean that Defra and its delivery partners will reduce the amount of existing paperwork farmers have to do for them.
Government is also committed to explaining better why it is changing rules or introducing new ones. We also want to improve the information and advice we give farmers about what they need to do to comply with regulation.
How does this fit with other Defra initiatives such as the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy (SFFS), the Whole Farm Approach, or the Hampton Review programme?
- Partners for Success is an integral part of the SFFS. The aim of the SFFS is to improve the sustainability of the farming sector, and better regulation is a key part of this.
- The Whole Farm Approach (WFA) is an early example of the principles of the Farm Regulation and Charging Strategy being put into practice. The WFA is an internet service run by Defra which will provide a simple interface between government and farmers through sharing data and information and will improve risk assessment by regulators. For example, farmers will be able to send and check data to demonstrate regulatory compliance, apply for funding or licences, search for relevant information and advice.
- The Strategy contributes to Defra’s response to the recommendations made by the Hampton Review on better enforcement and the use of risk-based inspections.
How will Government improve the information and advice it gives to farmers?
Defra will be issuing four quarterly issues of the Farming Link newspaper commencing in December 2005. The newspaper will aim to gather the views of the farming community and other key stakeholders to help us work in partnership. Farming Link will not focus exclusively on farming but also on related matters of interest such as food, agri-environmental schemes and wider rural issues.
Better advice is part of our programme to implement the Hampton Review. As old regulations are reviewed and consolidated, we will update and simplify the associated guidance.
How can farmers (and others) find out about forthcoming legislation?
The Environment Agency has plain language guidance for businesses on environmental legislation, and how to comply with it. www.netregs.gov.uk
Defra is committing to publishing on this website a list of all its forthcoming legislation that will impact on the farming industry, starting six months after the launch of the strategy.
How much is the Strategy going to cost?
The Strategy itself is not introducing any new rules. It is about the way Defra will develop new measures, including how we can make greater use of non-regulatory tools such as voluntary initiatives.
A number of regulatory proposals to address big challenges such as diffuse water pollution or livestock traceability will be introduced over the next decade. Our analysis starts to build a picture of the estimated economic impacts of these proposals on farming as a whole and on the different farming sectors.
This is the first time cumulative impacts – as opposed to the impact of individual proposals in isolation - have been assessed. This analysis might also help the industry to plan ahead in order to influence the design of new regulations and adapt to them.
On the one hand Defra is going to simplify regulations, but on the other there is a great long list of new measures in the pipeline, and they are going to create new costs too. Isn’t this contradictory?
Government does not regulate to impose costs on farmers. These proposals are designed to address big challenges, such as improving water and air quality, protection biodiversity, or protecting animal health and welfare.
Also, some regulations are designed to protect the economic interests of the farming industry. Animal identification, movement controls and plant health rules aim to protect both farmers and consumers by establishing standards of information about the health and origin of animals and products.
As each new proposal comes forward for discussion and public consultation, a detailed analysis of both costs and benefits will be developed. Measures will only be passed if they show an overall net benefit.
Is the Strategy going to introduce new charges?
Again, the Strategy itself does not contain any specific proposals for charging. What it does is to lay out the principles that apply to existing charges for Defra’s regulatory services, ensuring that they are applied consistently. These principles are:
- the polluter pays;
- charging schemes should be transparent, simple and predictable;
- they must be justifiable and take account of existing burdens; and
- where possible, charging schemes should encourage good practice.
The norm is to charge for the full cost of services. However, decisions to proceed with individual charges will take into account the ability to pay, as well as the cumulative burdens on the industry or the particular sector. In specific circumstances, Ministers may decide to defer charges or not charge full costs.
The Strategy outlines the need for government and its regulators to be transparent in their approach to charging, and allow the industry to challenge them where it thinks that charging proposals do not follow the guidelines.
How is Defra going to ensure that this Strategy is implemented?
Over the next six months, farming groups will be involved in working out success criteria for the Strategy, which will be monitored and reported on regularly.
Will the Strategy change the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) or Entry Level Scheme (ELS)?
Not fundamentally, although it may in future lead to simplification in the way the schemes work (e.g. bringing guidance together in one place etc)
As a farmer, I want to get involved with this. What can I do?
The best way is to contact representative bodies such as the NFU, CLA, TFA etc or your business adviser, to put forward simplification ideas or alternatives to www.betterregulation.gov.uk. Over the next few months, they will be working with Defra to put more simplification ideas together. Defra will respond within 90 working days.
You could also comment on new proposals or pilot them.
Page last modified: 28 November 2005
Page published: 28 November 2005