CAP reforms are ideal time to cut red tape

SCOTLAND could learn from recommendations to cut red tape put forward by the Farming Regulation Task Force this year, according to the National Farmers Union of Scotland.

Although many of the 215 suggestions were directly aimed at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in England, NFUS president Nigel Miller said there were elements that could apply to all areas of the UK.

The common thread for much agriculture, Miller pointed out, was the European Union and with changes afoot in Brussels now was the time to reduce the level of regulation.

“As much of the red tape originates in Europe and brings with it the threat of swingeing penalties for non-compliance, the current [common agricultural policy] reform proposals offer an opportunity to establish a more pragmatic and proportionate regulatory platform,” he said.

Speaking from Brussels where he and union colleagues have been lobbying on the reform of the CAP and current issues such as sheep electronic identification, Miller said there was some room for optimism.

“Leaks around the CAP reform proposal have hinted at new rules allowing member states to establish advisory schemes that can help farmers cope with the challenge of regulation and lift them out of the penalty regime at the same time.

“That approach echoes past recommendations made in Scotland looking to rebuild the trust between Scottish Government, local offices, enforcement agencies and the farming community.”

Miller praised work by the Scottish Government to tackle duplication in regulation, but added: “It would be to the benefit of the whole industry if an approach to compliance could be built around information and guidance, rather than inspection and penalty.”

Defra was also targeted this week by the UK parliament rural affairs committee on its “culture of over-regulation”, with committee chair, Anne McIntosh, saying the task force recommendations offered “an opportunity to transform their approach”.

She continued: “My committee looks forward to hearing the department’s initial response to the task force next month, and eagerly awaits a clear timetable of practical steps to cut back the overly-burdensome regulations that threaten to stifle English farm businesses.” She said it was essential that Defra engaged earlier and more proactively in Europe to reduce the cost burden imposed by EU regulations in future.

The committee also called for Defra to set out options for removing “gold-plating” from existing EU-derived regulations and for MPs to be given greater powers to scrutinise legislation establishing new regulations.