Written question asked by Peter Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 10 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 March 2010. It was answered by Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) on Monday, 15 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Agriculture

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has made a recent assessment of the level of the administrative burden on the agriculture industry.

Answer: In DEFRA's recent Simplification Plan 'Simplifying the Business Environment: Driving Burdens Down', published in December 2009, DEFRA reported that it was on target to achieve a 20 per cent. reduction in administrative burdens by May 2010. The report details measures that affect the agriculture industry. Between the simplification measures already implemented and other activities currently in progress, we anticipate DEFRA will meet and may even exceed the 25 per cent. target by May 2010.

Secondary information