Conservatives Answers

In view of the difficult economy, how do you propose to tackle the issue of bureaucracy in farming? A farmer now spends a large proportion of his time filling in forms and generating documents. This doesn’t play to his strengths, compromises his farming business and only serves to inform the TEN overseeing government bodies about what he is farming and why. The forms are then followed up by ten different inspectors conducting ten different audits. This is plainly nonsensical.

Conservatives - 3rd Apr, 2009

Thank you for your email about bureaucracy in farming. I appreciate you raising this with me. Jodie Scheckter is indeed a constituent, and I applaud his initiatives on organic farming. I can only agree, and sympathise with you on this issue. We have reached the point where the costs that these regulations impose on British agriculture have, in many cases, become separated from the benefits they are supposed to deliver. Many of these regulations start life in Europe but often, by the time they reach our farms, have more than a few extra specifications added to them. Unfortunately, we have a very British tendency to implement the regulations coming from Europe to a greater extent than other countries in the EU. That is not to say that all regulations emanate from Europe. Indeed, the cost to farmers of UK regulation has more than tripled since Defra was created in 2001. I recognise that there is a role and requirement for regulation, but equally that Defra has allowed red tape to proliferate, very often at maximum expense for minimal benefit. High standards are important, and must be maintained, but it is the outcomes that matter and as long as they are met, we will let farmers determine the methods that best suit the conditions on their farm. The Conservatives have published a set of proposals, Lifting Burdens Lowering Costs, outlining how we propose to reduce the regulatory burden. Best wishes, The Rt Hon Sir George Young Bt MP www.sirgeorgeyoung.org.uk

You voted against this Answer

What will your party do to investigate and stamp out "corruption, dodgy dealing and poor financial controls" by MEPs in the European Parliament, highlighted by Robert Galvin's leaked report into corruption by MEPs claiming expenses? And do you agree with that report having been kept secret for so long?

Conservatives - 27th Feb, 2009

Click link to view: EU Auditors: Time for governments to live up to their commitments

You voted against this Answer