The report of the independent Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance: reducing burdens; increasing responsibility; earning recognition A report on better regulation in farming and food businesses

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Independent of Government Industry-led, but with non-industry representation Members have wide-ranging personal expertise and experience Established by Ministers in June 2010 The Task Force... who?

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Farming and the food industry matter Need farmers to produce more food, and to do so sustainably Farmers feel frustrated by constraints on their ability to make farming matter more Farmers feel tied to the office by red tape This helps neither farming nor other outcomes The Task Force... why?

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance “In support of a more competitive farming and food processing industry that contributes to the economic recovery, to identify ways to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and food-processors through a review of the relevant regulations and their implementation, and advise on how best to achieve a risk-based system of regulation in future whilst maintaining high environmental, welfare and safety standards” The Task Force... what?

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Inclusive and consultative Bottom up not top down Bold but credible Focused on: – disproportionate/over-complex implementation – unnecessary regulatory measures – gold plated regulations The Task Force... how?

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance In two sections: Changing the way we work Specific regulatory recommendations The Task Force report

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Changing the way we work From bureaucracy to responsibility and partnership

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Government sets the strategic framework then minimise its involvement Determine regulatory needs on the grounds of impact and regulatory interventions on the basis of risk Pull industry into process as partners with Government Recognise businesses who earn trust with lighter or no touch, and encourage excellence

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Need a new approach and culture of regulation... essence of which is strengthening partnership Means new responsibilities for Government and industry... and we direct sets of recommendations to each

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Strategically, Government must: trust industry, involve it in developing solutions & set the framework for it to take responsibility refocus regulation on outcomes not process make inspection & enforcement more efficient and effective ensure competent authority remains key – but ensure regulation is risk based establish a system of ‘earned recognition’ so regulators reward good practice [... continued]

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance [...continued] Strategically, Government must: strengthen its agricultural expertise reduce and reform paperwork and process engage in the EU much earlier and shape the game

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Strategically, industry must: demonstrate responsibility that merits trust share the problem, outcome, evidence and solution with Government help develop workable ‘earned recognition’ make voluntary initiatives work agree how bad behaviour should be punished help Government shape the regulatory future... and should respond to our report

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Recommendations on key regulatory frameworks

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Livestock movements Nitrates Regulations Cross-compliance, Single Payment Scheme & CAP negotiations Planning framework Water management Regulation of waste and IPPC Pesticides Meat hygiene inspections

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Livestock movements simplify regulatory regime to reduce burdens without compromising risk of disease spread replace current system with new package of measures... [...continued]

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Livestock movements package to include rapid adoption of electronic reporting a new CPH definition allow approved separation facilities allowing farm-to-farm movements without standstills allowing approved separation arrangements

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Nitrates Regulations significantly reduce the paperwork burden then move to catchment-based approach for managing nutrients integrate aims of Nitrates Directive with those of Water Framework Directive – in way that minimises burdens, avoids duplication & improves chance of better outcome

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Cross-compliance & Single Payment Scheme simplify both in ways that ensure a focus on outcomes while making farmers’ lives easier, e.g. SPS: Simpler mapping; abolish entitlements; replace current paperwork with online and prepopulated solutions Cross-compliance: make changes to cross- compliance conditions and remove one GAEC and two SMRs

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance CAP negotiations learn the lessons of 2003! resist mechanisms that increase complexity (e.g. capping, quotas); focus on outcomes not process; and make better use of risk-assessment for inspections

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Planning framework improve planning regulations to allow farm businesses to adapt, innovate and grow address through National Planning Policy Framework improve permitted development, prior notification procedures & General Permitted Development Order

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Water availability and supply Water White Paper should recognise importance of a sustainable water supply to farming sector better manage water as a resource for agriculture, e.g. lift specific burdens on private water supplies, water fittings regulations & abstraction licences

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Regulation of waste and IPPC make it as light touch as possible tailor environmental permitting forms and guidance to the agricultural sector apply a general licence to negligible risk waste activities adopt a three-tier approach to waste regulations & exemptions reduce IPPC inspections allow farmers to dispose of fly-tipped material at local authority waste sites

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Pesticides short-term: increased support for specific off- label approvals and minor uses longer-term: risk-based regulatory framework & further EU harmonisation so growers can use most effective pesticides

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Meat hygiene inspections allow consistently competent meat processors to source meat-inspection services from accredited private sector providers within a system managed by the competent authority longer-term: change EU rules to create risk- based system – pilot innovative inspection approaches short-term: greater use of ‘cold inspection’ in small processors with appropriate facilities implement TSE roadmap

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Conclusions

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Defra is now in the vanguard of Government’s better regulation drive Our 200+ recommendations set an agenda for change – for Government and industry Implementation will not be straightforward and cannot happen overnight – but be bold!

Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance Defra needs a new culture and relationship with industry Without this, regulatory change will not happen Time is right to make change happen “It’s now or never...”

The report of the independent Farming Regulation Task Force Striking a balance: reducing burdens; increasing responsibility; earning recognition A report on better regulation in farming and food businesses