A new industry-led task force to look at ways of reducing the stranglehold of red tape on farmers and growers has been launched today, headed by former NFU director general Richard MacDonald.

Agriculture minister Jim Paice made the announcement at Cereals 2010 calling for the bureaucratic burdens on the farming industry to be ‘examined under a microscope to identify ways of reducing regulatory burdens’. A review of the relevant regulations and their implementation, as well as advice on how to achieve a risk-based system of regulation in the future, will be carried out by the task force.

NFU president Peter Kendall said: “The announcement is just the commitment the industry needs. The coalition government is standing by its promise to review this area which will help ensure we have a competitive food and farming sector in the future.

“Farmers repeatedly cite the cumulative burden of regulation as a key barrier to increased productivity. The NFU has long lobbied for a reduction in costly red tape arguing that moving to a risk-based approach is the only answer. I would also hope that the review will scrutinise the gold-plating of regulations.

“Richard Macdonald is well-placed to head this task force as he has a wealth of experience, solid leadership skills, as well as a unique knowledge of the farming and food industry.”