Carmel Hanna (Social Democratic and Labour Party)

1. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how, and when, she will implement the recommendations of the report on the better regulation and simplification review.      (AQO 202/10)

Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin)

With your permission, a LeasCheann Comhairle, I will answer questions one and nine together.

The review is complex, with 85 recommendations that apply to all areas of the Department’s work in the agrifood sector, including areas in which we are applying European legislation. Fifty two recommendations fall specifically to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), and of those, 35 that can be implemented have been identified, many of which were already being implemented as ongoing developments in various work areas.

Forty one recommendations require further investigation to identify the possibility of introduction by DARD and/or other Departments. So far, nine are likely to be rejected for various reasons including legal obstacles and disproportionate costs.

The informal consultation on the independent panel’s better regulation and simplification review ended on 30 September. Three responses have been received by my Department and will be taken into consideration in the formal response to the review that will be published in the autumn.

Carmel Hanna (Social Democratic and Labour Party)

Will the Minister outline the overall costs of the review and specify whether any anticipated savings will result from the implementation of the recommendations?

Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin)

I do not have the actual costs of the review to hand. Some recommendations will reduce the administrative burden on farmers; but at this point, I do not have that level of information. I am happy to respond to the Member in writing.

Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin)

I came to this job with a view to looking at what I could do to help reduce the burden on farmers: I asked that question. However, inspections are carried out for different reasons. We have brought inspections together where possible but, unfortunately, it is not possible to do that for all of them. We have done what we can to reduce the burden of inspections on farmers.

Jim Shannon (DUP)

I thank the Minister for her responses. Will she indicate when she intends to introduce, and ensure the early implementation of, the independent panel’s recommendations in a clear and beneficial way to help the farming industry?

Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin)

I recognise that the burden on farmers can be reduced. There is a public service agreement target to reduce the administrative burden on farmers by 25% by 2013, with an interim target of 15% by 2011. Progress towards those targets will be monitored to ensure that they are being met. We will do everything that we can to reduce the burden on farmers.

David McClarty (UUP)

Question 2 has been withdrawn.