Agriculture (Regulation)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 20 August 2014.

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Photo of Gordon MacDonald Gordon MacDonald Scottish National Party

6. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce red tape for agricultural industries. (S4O-03506)

Photo of Richard Lochhead Richard Lochhead Scottish National Party

In 2012, I commissioned Brian Pack to undertake an independent report into how best to reduce red tape for farmers and land managers. Following extensive consultation with the industry and stakeholders the report was presented to me at the Turriff show a few weeks ago.

The report contains 61 recommendations aimed at reducing red tape, and I immediately accepted one of the main ones, which was to establish an overarching advisory board to improve the strategic and operational alignment of our delivery bodies in Scotland. I will make announcements about the other recommendations in due course.

Photo of Gordon MacDonald Gordon MacDonald Scottish National Party

I am pleased that the cabinet secretary is considering setting up an advisory board to cut farming red tape, which will free up more time for farmers to farm by reducing on-farm inspections and bureaucracy. I am sure that that is welcome news. When will the advisory board be up and running?

Photo of Richard Lochhead Richard Lochhead Scottish National Party

We have started to look at how the advisory board should be comprised and I hope to make announcements in the coming weeks.

It is worth saying that the recommendation is important because farmers, crofters and land managers have to deal with many agencies and bodies operating in rural Scotland. It makes perfect sense that the more aligned those agencies and bodies are, the better. Whatever steps are taken—whether it is that they use the same systems or perhaps have one point of contact—reducing bureaucracy and red tape can only benefit and free up time for our hard-working primary producers in rural Scotland.