Red Tape Review April 18, 2013 12:00 am In July 2010 the Farming Regulation Task Force was set up under Richard Macdonald in order to carry out an independent review on ways of reducing regulatory burdens on farmers and food processors. Its report to the government was published in May 2011 and included over 200 ways of reducing ‘red tape’ . The initial report identified five priority issues, shown below. Culture change in Government Inspections and earned recognition Data sharing and paperwork Government communication with the industry Animal movements The Government duly responded in February 2012 setting out a commitment to deliver many of the recommendations of the Macdonald review. More details are available from – http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/farm-manage/farm-regulation/ The Farming Regulation Task Force Implementation Group has now published its ‘one year on’ progress assessment. The report acknowledges that progress has been made but farmers have not yet seen many of the positive outcomes which are being worked towards. The Implementation Group suggested that progress had been delayed due to the significant re-organisation within DEFRA. DEFRA has made steps towards improving the situation; a series of farm visits and seminars have been completed in order to improve the knowledge of staff. This has been welcomed by the Group but it would like to see a more strategic and long term programme being developed. In January 2013 the Water Quality Farmers Panel, which provides a forum for officials to seek practical advice when developing policies, was introduced. It is likely that more of these groups will be seen in the future. Slow progress has been made in response to the inspection process although the Group recognises that this requires much planning and often additional resources. The Implementation Group suggested that a further study should be carried out in spring 2014 to see if further changes have been made and review the progress made within the government and the industry.
