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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives are being pursued to reduce the costs arising for agriculture from regulation in (a) the short-term and (b) the long-term. [110533] Ms Quin: The new support package for farmers announced on 20 September 1999 included two measures which will save the industry £89 million over three years. Charges for inspection of the removal of Specified Risk Material from cattle and sheep carcases and for the provision of cattle passports will not be imposed before 2002-03 at the earliest. On 1 December 1999 we announced that meat hygiene inspection charges for the whole of 1999-2000 are being held at the levels fixed for 1998-99. The charges for 2000-01 will not rise by more than the rate of inflation over current levels. Following the review of regulatory burdens three priority reports were presented by the industry-led working groups before Christmas. They were asked to root out unnecessary burdens or to find ways of doing things better. They made 107 recommendations 98 of which were accepted and six will require further consideration. Twenty-three will need to be pursued in Brussels. The aim is to implement these recommendations as quickly as possible. Reports on other issues are expected shortly. We shall continue to work to minimise burdens wherever possible. The next phase will look at policies or schemes run by other Government Departments.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

344 c971W; 110533

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Agriculture Costs Inspections Disease control Regulation Slaughterhouses BSE

Contains statistics

Yes