HC Deb 23 November 1995 vol 267 cc241-2W
Sir Michael Grylls

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the deregulation measures agreed by his Department during 1995. [284]

Mr. Boswell

[holding answer 22 November 1995]: The Ministry has a positive and long-standing commitment to deregulation, which has been developed during 1995. The Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 greatly simplified the rules relating to agricultural tenancies and now enables landlords and tenants to agree terms which reflect their own particular needs. Two draft deregulation orders, under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, have been laid to lift reporting burdens under the Corn Returns Act 1882 and in relation to slaughterhouses legislation. Other deregulatory measures include reducing the requirements relating to marking of pigs and simplifying the arrangements for licensing of poultry slaughtermen. Steps have also been taken to exempt cold stores handling packaged meat from meat inspection regulations. By 1 January 1996, we expect to repeal or simplify a significant series of national measures relating to food composition and food additives.