The Government has published its initial response to the Farming Regulation Task Force report.

It explains the progress made to date on the Macdonald recommendations. It sets out a narrative of the work that is being done, and highlights examples of how Defra and its delivery agents have started to apply the principles the Task Force set out.

• Initial response to the Farming Regulation Task Force report
• Press release, “pick of the crop could earn fewer farm inspections”

Jim Paice, Minister for Agriculture, has highlighted a number of areas where the government hopes to reduce regulatory burdens on farmers, whilst still achieving high standards in environmental outcomes, health and welfare.

Farmers that show high levels of compliance with rules and demonstrating that they are achieving high standards in environmental outcomes could earn the right to fewer targeted inspections.

We are keen to take forward the principle of earned recognition, to make progress on simplifying and integrating environmental messages for farmers and we are working in partnership with delivery bodies and industry organisations to develop these ideas.

We will give full details on the recommendations, and set out a clear agenda for implementation, in our final response, which is due to be published early next year.

The government will continue to work closely with the farming industry, regulatory agencies and other interested parties to insure we secure the best outcomes for both the farming industry and the environment.

The Government has published its plan for reducing the burden of paperwork on farmers and food processors, in response to a recommendation from the Task Force.  This plan gives examples of some of the work we are already doing to reduce and rationalise the paperwork burden on farming and food-processing businesses, and sets out a programme of actions to reduce this burden further, and gives examples of the work we will do.  More detail on many of the actions in this plan will be provided in the full Government Response to the Task Force, which will be published in early 2012. The plan covers activities in Defra, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), the Environment Agency (EA), Natural England (NE) and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA).

• Farming Regulation Task Force Implentation Paperwork plan (PDF)

Further information

• FSA response to Farming Regulation Task Force
• Non-formal consultation on proposals to reform the animal welfare inspection regime

Background

Richard Macdonald, Task Force Chair

The Farming Regulation Task Force reported to Government on ways of reducing regulatory burdens on farmers and food processors. Richard Macdonald, the Chair of the Task Force, with Task Force members, presented the report to Jim Paice on 17 May 2011. It recommended more than 200 ways of reducing unnecessary “red tape”.

The Task Force was set up in July 2010 to carry out an independent review of relevant regulations and their implementation, and advise on how best to achieve a risk-based system of regulation in future, whilst maintaining high environmental, welfare and safety standards. The review was informed by an extensive consultation with the industry and other interested parties, which took place from August to October 2010.

Jim Paice welcomed the report, and outlined plans for implementing the recommendations. He also announced the publication of Defra’s Regulatory Reform Brief, setting out changes being made to encourage better regulation.

• Full report, and summary of recommendations
• Task Force press release (PDF 120KB)
• Defra press release, “Farming red tape to be unravelled
• Video – comments by Jim Paice and Richard Macdonald  (YouTube)
• Consultation responses, terms of reference, Task Force membership and original announcement of review (National Archive website)
• Defra’s Regulatory Reform Brief