Task Force urges cut back on farming regulations
Summary
The independent Task Force commissioned to review the regulation of farming has stressed the importance of forming a new approach to regulation that is less regulatory and more risk-based.
In 'The Outcome of the Independent Farming Regulation Task Force’ (HC 1266), the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee welcomes the Farming Regulation Task Force’s findings and calls on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to implement its recommendations promptly.
In May 2011, the independent Farming Regulation Task Force completed a review of Defra's farming and food related regulations - the first of its kind across Whitehall (available on Defra's website).
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee congratulates the Task Force for striking a successful balance between upholding standards and overzealous regulation and eagerly awaits a clear timetable of practical steps to cut back the overly burdensome regulations that threaten to stifle English farm businesses.
Defra estimates the direct cost of current regulation is upwards of £5 billion each year, yet over half of all Defra's regulations come from EU requirements.
It is essential that Defra engages earlier and more proactively in Europe to reduce the cost burden imposed by EU regulations in future.
The Committee also calls for MPs to be given greater powers to scrutinise legislation establishing new regulations. And many more of the Department's own employees should gain some hands-on experience of farming businesses.
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