All but three of 61 recommendations to reduce the red tape burden in Scottish agriculture have been formally accepted by the Scottish Government.
Last summer, former ANM Group chief executive Brian Pack published the list of recommendations in his Doing Better report.
Proposals put forward included the requirement that farmers and crofters be given 24 hours notice before any inspections, and the creation of a single data base including all the details applying to a farm or rural business.
Farm minister Richard Lochhead confirmed government had formally accepted the majority of the recommendations.
“The focus of farmers and crofters should be on producing food for our tables rather than filling in forms,” said Mr Lochhead, following a meeting of the government’s Rural Affairs, Food and Environment (RAFE) delivery board.
The RAFE board was set up earlier this year following the Pack review – its members include Richard Lochhead, environment minister Aileen McLeod, Brian Pack, chief executives of Sepa, SNH, the Crofting Commission and Forestry Commission Scotland. Two non-executives, in addition to Mr Pack, are still to be appointed.
Mr Lochhead added: “Brian’s red tape review has exposed the sheer complexity of agriculture regulation and legislation, not just here in Scotland but across the whole of the EU.”
He said implementation of the recommendations would be driven forward by the RAFE board, although some proposals will require European approval.
Welcoming the acceptance of most of his recommendations Brian Pack said: “I think it is tremendous because it signals a change of attitude and culture and a willingness to work towards simpler regulation and less red tape.
“Most of the recommendations are within Scottish Government’s power but some are aimed at the EU and need more support from Brussels. I was encouraged by Commissioner Hogan’s attitude when he visited the Highland Show. He is clearly on the same page as us on many of these issues including the need for more transparency over disallowances.”