§ 24. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of Government regulation on agriculture with respect to farm(a) incomes and (b) operating costs. [131287]
§ Ms QuinAll regulations affecting business costs are subject to a Regulatory Impact Assessment and these are published. Most recently, and in addition to earlier cuts, farm incomes will be saved some £30 million by the removal or freezing of charges imposed by certain regulations announced in the Action Plan for Farming. Operating costs are helped where we can save farmers' time through simplified forms and census requirements, co-ordinated inspections and the move towards electronic forms.