Farmers call on Government to Cut Red Tape Quicker
Farmers from the National Farmers Union (NFU) have called on the the Government to act with more 'urgency' on removing 'red tape' from the industry.
A report published today by an independent group led by former NFU Director General Richard Macdonald, suggets that by cutting red tape the government has already helped the boost UK Farming industry.
Changes inclding An ‘earned recognition’ scheme has reduced the number of dairy farm inspections by over 8,000 a year. Earned recognition means that the scheme limits the number of inspections on farms that have excellent track-records in complying with regulations.
Likewise the waste exemption guide has been simplifed, increasing online registration from around 20% to around 70%, while electronic reporting for sheep and goats, being phased in from next month, is expected to save the farming industry around £500,000 over the next 10 years.
Farming Minister George Eustice said: "Regulations are important in upholding our high standards of farming, but overly burdensome rules have made life difficult for farmers for too long. By cutting red tape we’re making it easier for farmers to grow their businesses and support the rural economy.
"Removing unnecessary bureaucracy will let farmers get on with the job of providing high quality food while still protecting the natural environment."
Chairman of the Farming Regulation Taskforce Implementation Group, Richard Macdonald, said: "The government has made significant progress following our initial recommendations. It has put in place the foundations of a good structure and strategy to deliver on-going regulatory improvements, which benefit both the farmer and regulators.
"While farmers may not feel a difference from every change and the impacts of changes may not filter through for several years, this work will make a cumulative difference to thousands of the nation’s farmers if fully implemented."
The National Farmers Union says that although progress is being made by Government in cutting red tape, it must act with more urgency so that farmers can see the benefits on the ground.
Following today’s publication of the Farming Regulation Task Force’s report, NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said she welcomed the scope and aim of the report.
“This report shows why farmers are concerned about regulation. There is a huge amount of work and a strong commitment to regulating better on all sides. But I really want to see government, agencies and farm businesses working together consistently in trusting relationships” said Mrs Batters.
“I’m disappointed that, as it stands, some farmers may not feel a difference from every change and in some cases the impacts of changes may not filter through for several years. It is for this reason that it is incredibly important that the government and in particular Defra makes every effort to better communicate to farmers those changes that do make a difference on the ground.
“We also remain concerned about the speed of delivery and lack of urgency in delivering some of the recommendations, such as simplifying livestock movement controls from 2016 – which should have happened much sooner. That said I’m pleased that Defra Ministers continue to work with the industry to find alternatives to a regulatory solution, such as the Campaign for the Farmed Environment and I hope that Defra will also join directly with the NFU to promote smarter regulation in Brussels with the European Commission.
“What we need to see is embedding a culture change across Defra and its agencies that will see them continuing to develop the farming knowledge of their staff and working in greater partnership with the industry, so we can be in a position where farmers and growers can focus on the business of producing British food rather than being professional form-fillers.”
