§ Mr. PageTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the regulations that have been removed or amended to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42782]
§ Mr. MorleyBetween 1 May 1997 and 30 April 1998 one Statutory Instrument, the Potatoes Originating in The Netherlands Regulations 1997, resulted in a lower cost than under the previous regulations and another Statutory Instrument, the Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1997, in part led to reduced costs, while the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, inter alia, simplified the legislative framework by removing 15 Statutory Instruments. These instruments were not targeted on businesses of a particular size but many affected are small ones. In addition, administrative changes to scheme forms and procedures were introduced to reduce the burden of paperwork on farmers.