Cutting Farmers’ Red Tape
The Task Force has been asked to identify ways to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and food processors by reviewing regulations and their implementation. They will advise how best to achieve a risk-based system of enforcement whilst maintaining high environmental, welfare and safety standards. Their work will cover:
- farming (including horticulture);
- food issues as they apply on farm;
- food processing where farmer and processor interests overlap; and
- processing of farmed produce.
The group will focus on identifying and making recommendations on:
- unnecessary measures, which might be revoked or, if EU-based, re-negotiated;
- alternative approaches that could reduce the burden of existing regulations – removing ‘gold-plating’; and
- disproportionate or overly complex implementation and enforcement that could be made more simple, empathetic, risk-based and outcome driven.
The members of the Task Force are: Richard Macdonald (Chair), Judith Donovan, William Goodwin, John Healey, Heather Jenkins, Richard Percy, Marion Regan, Andy Robertson, and Steve Tapper.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
