NFU selected to lead review of red-tape

The NFU has been selected by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) as one of two trade association and business representative groups to lead a review of red-tape under the Business Focus on Enforcement Initiative.

The aim of the NFU review will be to gather evidence from an industry perspective on livestock visits and inspections, examining the potential for duplication and overlap between national regulators and local authorities. As part of the review the NFU will present its findings and evidence to Ministers.

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: “The NFU is pleased to be selected to lead on a Business Focus on Enforcement review. In particular our focus will be on the duplication and overlap resulting from livestock inspections which was raised as a key concern by members during the Farm Regulation Task Force review. ?Members tell me that the situation is not improving, with many members feeling that they are getting even more duplication.

“The Business Focus on Enforcement is an important new initiative which gives businesses a greater role in reviewing the impact of the way regulation is enforced. We look forward to working with the Better Regulation Executive over the coming months, in gathering evidence and presenting our findings.

“We would encourage all livestock keepers to participate fully in the evidence gathering stages.”


The NFU review will operate in three stages. The first will be a phone based survey of livestock keepers across England, finding out how often farmers receive visits from regulatory agencies and local authorities and where duplication occurs.

The second stage will be a Twitter-based AgriChat UK debate in September, followed by the final stage which will be a series of workshops from mid-September for groups of livestock farmers.