A major simplification of the way we regulate farming has
been proposed in an interim report
published today by Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of
the Farm Inspection and Regulation Review.
The interim report sets out the problems with the current
system of regulation, largely borne out of the requirements
of membership of the Common Agricultural Policy
(CAP). It
finds that farmers and regulators alike are exasperated by
the demands of regulation, which are unduly precise and
inflexible. As we leave the EU, there is an opportunity to
rebuild trust between the regulating authority and the
farmer, which would maintain high standard on farms and
support farmers to comply.
The way we regulate now exasperates responsible farmers and
regulators alike. Some of our regulations are unduly
precise and inflexible. Tightly-drawn European regulation
can have adverse consequences for farm businesses and lead
to a lack of transparency in the food chain. It inevitably
sours relationships between the farmer and the regulatory
authority. Inflexible regulation can lead farmers to hide
their mistakes and naturally, that undermines any trust
between the regulating authority and the farmer.
The Review estimates 150,000 farm inspections are carried
out each year by multiple agencies such as the Rural
Payments Agency, the Animal and Plant Health Agency,
Natural England and local authorities to meet the strict
criteria of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.
The report discusses the opportunity to use a single field
force to conduct more meaningful farm inspections, as part
of a more flexible, proportionate regulation. A simpler and
more targeted regulatory system would be an immensely
powerful tool in achieving the government’s environmental
objectives and supporting farmers to uphold standards.
Farming legislation has evolved and accreted in a piecemeal
way over many years. Farmers face an unduly extensive and
complex array of regulatory requirements. Some of those
requirements seem illogical as well as inflexible, bringing
farming regulation into disrepute.
The interim report also recommends better use of technology
such as satellite imagery to check compliance. This could
maximise the information gathered ahead of any inspection
to support comprehensive visits for farmers and regulators
alike. The Review is due to complete its work by the end of
this year and will publish a final report with
recommendations.
Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the Farm Inspection and
Regulation Review said:
Farmers have long been frustrated by the way farms are
regulated. As we leave the EU and as government sets out
new expectations for farming, we have a unique
opportunity to transform the way we do things.
This interim report sets out a direction of travel for
farming regulation. We do not suggest piecemeal
adjustments. Instead we think more radical change is
necessary, to make the most of the opportunity we have
now, and to best enable farmers to produce and market
food while also meeting the other expectations government
has of farming.
I do encourage all farmers and land managers who are
frustrated with regulation, but resigned to how things
are, to read our report and to think that things could be
and should be different.
Secretary of State said:
Dame Glenys makes a thorough and compelling case for
fundamental changes to the existing inspection and
regulation framework. The regulation on farmers under
the CAP has imposed
an extra bureaucratic headache on farmers, with no room
to recognise innovation or good intent.
The interim findings of this independent report will be a
key consideration in the plans for our future
Environmental Land Management Scheme, for which an
effective regulatory regime is crucial. This will work to
enhance the excellent work farmers to do manage and
protect the environment.
The independent review was announced in February to
simplify the way farmers and landowners are regulated as we
leave the EU. The strict requirements of
the CAP mean that many
inspectors are currently not able to use discretion or
exercise their own judgment.
