Now is the time for innovative ideas to reduce red tape in the farming industry, according to Country Land and Business Association President Harry Cotterell.
The farming industry is among the latest subjects of the government’s drive to unlock economic growth by cutting red tape.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson called for views on how the government can make regulation less burdensome for businesses and others in agriculture, animal health and welfare, plant health and forestry.
"Our safeguards ensure that British businesses have a global reputation for high standards in areas like animal welfare and food safety. We are upholding these standards and making them simpler to apply," said Environment Secretary Owen Paterson.
"For too long, businesses have been held back by complicated, unclear or outdated regulation. We are cutting out the time businesses are investing in unnecessary red tape, freeing them to focus their resources on growth."
Work to reduce regulatory burdens on the farming industry is already underway through the implementation of the Farming Regulation Taskforce recommendations. Farmers who consistently demonstrate high standards will be inspected less, high performance will be incentivised and unnecessary burdens reduced. The new Red Tape Challenge review will build on this work by reviewing the regulations, not just their delivery.
Richard McDonald Chair of the Farming Regulation Taskforce said: "For over two years, the better regulation group has been working with Defra to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers. This is a welcomed additional opportunity to get input from the industry on how to further reduce that burden. I would encourage all farming organisations and individuals to participate."
The CLA said that in spite of the recommendations of the 2011 Farming Regulation Task Force there has been little change in the burden of bureaucracy.
CLA President Harry Cotterell said: "We welcome Defra's commitment to removing barriers to growth by freeing up businesses from overly complicated red tape.
"Now is the time for those, including us, who have criticised the burden of regulation to step forward with sensible suggestions for reform.
"We need to look at practical ideas to remove bureaucracy and we want farmers and landowners to let us know their thoughts to shape our response to Government."
The Association also supported Defra's view that it does not want to cover areas already in the 2011 Task Force but review the underpinning regulation and remove outdated requirements.
Cotterell said: "Removing unnecessary and outdated requirements will create a clearer and simpler regulatory landscape – now we need see these pledges in action."
A particular focus of this review is to ensure that EU regulations do not impose disproportionate burdens on UK businesses. Farmers have the opportunity to share their views on EU legislation in order to inform the UK’s negotiating strategy on the new EU frameworks for animal health and plant health. Defra is also seeking views on how the new Common Agricultural Policy can be implemented in England in ways that are as simple, affordable and as effective as possible.
Defra has already reviewed around 700 regulations through the Red Tape Challenge, mainly in the food, environment, water and marine sectors, and is on course to deliver the expected £1 billion annual savings to business announced last year.
