Farmers with the best track records on environmental protection and animal welfare standards could soon earn the right to operate more freely, Agriculture Minister Jim Paice said today.

Unveiling the Government's interim response to the Farming Regulation Task Force, Mr Paice highlighted a number of areas where the government hopes to reduce regulatory burdens on farmers, whilst still achieving high standards on the environment, health and animal welfare.

The interim response gives a brief overview of the progress made so far to address the challenges set out by the Task Force report.

The new approaches being explored include:

• Changing the way we work with the farming industry to build a closer working partnership that helps the industry and cuts red tape;
• Making inspections more risk-based and targeted at farms which are at greater risk of breaching regulations;
• Co-ordinating inspections to reduce the number of duplicate visits by different enforcement bodies and therefore minimizing disruption to farmers businesses; and
• Simplifying the complex environmental requirements to give much clearer guidance to farmers about what practical measures they need to take.

Jim Paice said:

"Where we can, we're looking to free up those playing by the rules so they can get on with doing what they do best – running their farms.

"The MacDonald report was big, bold and ambitious, and if industry is ready to play its part, we can make it a reality."

Other red-tape busting measures proposed include:

• Bringing together local councils and affected parties to combat fly-tipping on private land;
• Reducing paperwork for farmers and putting more records and guidance online;
• Better information sharing between agencies so more forms will be pre-populated and easier to fill in; and
• An implementation group, chaired by Richard MacDonald to oversee progress and delivery.

Jim Paice continued:

"If we want a successful and competitive farming industry then the rules and regulations need to be drawn up with farmers in mind. Most farmers want to do the right thing and push standards even higher – what we need to do is help them do that in as simple and effective way as possible.

"It also means getting farmers and NGOs to agree on what the best way forward is, and I want to thank the NFU and RSPB for working so constructively with us to inform our interim response."

Richard MacDonald who led the Task Force said:

"I am greatly reassured by the progress that has been made in response to the Task Force. Many of our recommendations were bold and challenging and for some there are no quick fixes. Our recommendations require change in both government and the farming industry and I am encouraged that both are actively engaging to develop solutions now for the future. I am looking forward to helping drive implementation and making all this real."

The Government's full and final response to the Task Force report will be published in early 2012.

NFU response

The NFU has said it is encouraged by the government’s initial response to the Macdonald Task Force on red tape in our industry - published today – but we’ve warned that farmers and growers will want to see action sooner rather than later if the initiative is to keep its credibility.  

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: "We know that the government is keen to implement the task force's recommendations and we are encouraged by the appointment of Richard Macdonald to head the delivery group.

"But in the face of the inevitable scepticism in the farming community, and with new examples of over-regulation – like the proposals on quad bikes – still seemingly cropping up almost every day, we really do need to start seeing actions that match the rhetoric. Delivery is the key."

Mr Raymond said that the NFU’s significant input into the Macdonald review had resulted in many positive developments from the task force recommendations, including progress on a scrutiny panel and the position on earned recognition which would enable regulators to reward good practice with less frequent inspection.

"This interim report is a step in the right direction", said Mr Raymond.

"We are working towards an end goal which will see the delivery of simplified and better regulation across the board, freeing farmers from the shackles of red tape which currently burdens every farm office in this country.

"What we need to see now is some flesh on the bones. We need a clear timetable for how the aspirations within this report will be turned into reality with specific actions from Defra. Most of all we need to see a step change in over-zealous regulation replaced by a system which encourages and rewards farmers for upholding the high standards expected.

"I look forward to seeing the final Defra response to the task force early next year. I hope it paves the way for a culture within Defra that understands and works with farm businesses to develop practical solutions; one that uses regulation as a last resort."

The Independent Task Force on Farming Regulation was appointed in June 2010 to find ways to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and food processors by reviewing regulations and their implementation. The Task Force final report, published in May 2011, sets out the steps needed for Defra and its agencies 'to establish an entirely new approach to and culture of regulation'.