HC Deb 21 December 1999 vol 341 cc572-3W
Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the Intervention System Working Group. [104005]

Mr. Nick Brown

I have received the report of the Intervention System Red Tape Working Group and am immediately placing copies in the Library of the House.

I am very grateful to the working Group for their hard work in completing their report so quickly. As with the other two red tape groups, I asked them to think radically and to suggest ways of doing things better. The Group points out that when there is a need for intervention, the system must work more effectively and enable UK producers to compete on a level playing field. Useful changes can be made, and many of the Group's recommendations concentrate on practical ideas for improvement which could be implemented quickly. I shall be considering the report very carefully with my colleagues and we will give our considered response in the New Year.

Mrs. Lawrence

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the IACS and Inspections Working Group. [104006]

Mr. Nick Brown

I have received the report of the IACS (Integrated Administration and Control System) and Inspections Red Tape Working Group and am immediately placing copies in the Library of the House.

I am very grateful to the Working Group for their hard work in completing their report so quickly. As with the other two red tape groups, I asked them to think radically and to suggest ways of doing things better. They have done this with recommendations which call for action both in Brussels and at home. They include challenging objectives for both Government and the industry in making maximum use of Information Technology. E-commerce offers farmers real opportunities to increase the effectiveness of their business operations. Our on-going programme for redeveloping our CAP processing IT systems is designed to offer real benefits to farmers in the way they interact with us. The report makes a number of other recommendations, including further reducing the number of forms and of inspection visits and establishing an independent appeals mechanism. I shall be considering the report very carefully with my colleagues and we will give our considered response in the New Year.