DEFRA is urging farmers to “seize the opportunity” to submit ideas on how the government can cut red tape, as the consultation period draws to an end.

Former NFU director general Richard Macdonald said the taskforce needed ideas and suggestions from people who experienced red tape every day, but the deadline of the 31 October was fast approaching.

“The taskforce has been charged with finding ways to completely change the culture of regulation and our consultation has already identified a number of priority issues.

“But we want to be absolutely sure these are based on the real world of agriculture and food processing.

“This is your chance to influence how regulation impacts on farmers – so please seize the opportunity with both hands.”

Priorities identified so far include cross-compliance, the EU fruit & vegetable regime, livestock identification and movement requirements, dairy hygiene inspections and meat hygiene controls. But there are others that industry is beginning to identify.

One recurring theme is the inspections that all farmers and food producers face, for example the inspection regime for cross-compliance under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is seen as complex, disproportionate and inflexible.

In particular, farmers mention repeat inspections of animal identification and movement records as an area of much duplication.

Mr Macdonald continued: “Reducing the number of inspections, or making them smarter, would make a big difference to England’s farmers and food producers. In our emerging view, inspections must be more risk-based, focusing on organisations that are at greater risk of breaching regulations and trusting those that have proven track records.

“There must surely be a way that government can trust private sectors auditors – and farmers – more.”

• Tell us which areas of red tape you think should be cut on our forums