HC Deb 28 July 1998 vol 317 cc229-31W
Mr. Lansley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those compliance cost assessments since 1 May 1997 in which there is a net reduction in compliance costs resulting from a legislative proposal. [52969]

Mr. Morley

There is presently no requirement on Departments to carry out Compliance Cost Assessments where legislative proposals are expected to be cost neutral or resulting in a saving to business. However, between 1 May 1997 and 30 June 1998, the Department has published the following Compliance Cost Assessments or Regulatory Appraisals which show a net reduction in estimated compliance costs:

  • Potatoes Originating in the Netherlands Regulations 1997
  • Home Grown Cereal Authority (Rate of Levy) Order 1998
  • Plastic Materials in Contact With Food Regulations 1998.

Mr. Lansley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the compliance cost assessments published by his Department since 1 May 1997. [52967]

Mr. Morley

For the period 1 May 1997 to 31 December 1997, details of Compliance Cost Assessments or Regulatory Appraisals published by the Department are contained in Command Papers CM 3801 "Compliance Cost Assessments: 1 January 1997 to 30 June 1997" and CM 3938 "Compliance Cost Assessments: 1 July 1997 to 31 December 1997", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

For the period 1 January 1998 to 30 June 1998, Compliance Cost Assessments or Regulatory Appraisals which the Department has published to accompany legislation are as follows:

  • January
    • The Beef Carcase (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations 1998
    • The Feeding Stuffs (Amendment) Regulations 1998
  • February
    • The Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) Amendment Regulations 1998
    • The Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998
    • The Sugar Beet (Research and Education) Order 1998
    • The CAP (Wine) (Amendment) Regulations 1998—amending The CAP (Wine) Regulations 1996 (The Principal Regulations)
  • March
    • The Beef Labelling (Enforcement) Regulations 1998
    • The Cattle Identification Regulations 1998
  • April
    • The Fertilisers (Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal) Regulations 1998
    • The Medicines (Exemptions for Merchants in Veterinary Drugs) Order 1998
    • The Feeding Stuffs (Establishments and Intermediaries) Regulations 1998
    • The Plant Breeders Rights (Fees) Regulations 1998
    • The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1998
    • The Plant Breeders Rights (Information and Notices) (Extension to European Plant Variety Rights) Regulations 1998
    • The Plant Breeders Rights (Information Notices) Regulations 1998
    • The Bovines and Bovine Products (Trade) Regulations 1998
    • The Implementation of Council Directive 96/51/EC Amending Directive 70/524/EEC Concerning Additives in Feeding Stuffs. This Regulatory Appraisal was prepared for the parent Directive for the four Statutory Instruments listed below:
    • The Medicines (Sale or Supply) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Regulations 1998
    • The Medicated Feeding Stuffs Regulations 1998
    • The Feeding Stuffs (Zootechnical Products) Regulations 1998
    • The Medicated Feeding Stuffs and The Feeding Stuffs (Zootechnical Products) (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 1998
  • May
    • The Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (England and Wales) Regulations 1998
    • The Razor Shells, Trough Shells and Carpet Shells (Specified Sea Area) (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 1998
    • The Welfare of Livestock (Amendment) Regulations 1998
    • The Home Grown Cereals Authority (Rate of Levy) Order 1998
    231
  • June
    • The Food Labelling (Amendment) Regulations 1998
    • The Seeds (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1998
    • The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations 1998.

Mr. Lansley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the cumulative net increase in compliance costs has been estimated in compliance cost assessments published by his Department since 1 May 1997. [52968]

Mr. Morley

The cumulative net increase in compliance costs estimated in compliance cost assessments or regulatory appraisals published alongside new regulations made by the Department between 1 May 1997 and 30 June 1998 is £280 million, of which £55 million are non-recurring costs. £40 million of the possible recurring costs could result from certain products having to be withdrawn from sale but are likely to be largely offset by increased sales of alternative agrochemical products.