A UK government report recommending ways to reduce red-tape from farm policy was presented to EU farm ministers at their agriculture council meeting in Brussels yesterday.

The report, written by the Farming Regulation Task Force, contains more than 200 recommendations to cut unnecessary red-tape from UK farming, and includes a chapter on better regulation for the CAP. The task force’s findings were largely welcomed by the farming industry when it completed the report in May. Maeve Whyte, Director of the NFU Brussels office, said she agreed with many of the report’s core messages.

Ms Whyte said, "The report urges policy makers to devise a CAP that is proportionate, risk-based and reduces paperwork and inspections. It also calls on ministers to oppose a 'cap' on direct payments and ensure cross-compliance measures are focused on outcomes rather than process. We need to tackle the EU regulatory burden on farm businesses and so welcome these recommendations."

This report couldn't come at a better time as Europe is currently redesigning the CAP post-2013. If we are going to create an environment in which farm businesses can thrive, EU farm ministers need to think very carefully about how to promote, rather than stifle, competitiveness which is why reports like this are important."

The Farming Regulation Task Force was announced by agriculture minister Jim Paice at Cereals 2010. Former NFU Director General Richard Macdonald led the group which presented its findings to Jim Paice in late May. The task force report and a summary of recommendations can be found here.