Farming red tape limited, says report

THE burden of red tape on farmers resulting from compulsory standards of environmental protection, public, animal and plant health and animal welfare (cross-compliance) is very limited, according to a new report carried out for the European Commission.

Based on research carried out in Ireland and four other EU member states, the report also showed the model of direct payments to farmers chosen by each country also has a limited influence on the administrative burden they face.

The commission said these results, and the proposals for simplification contained in the recent Health Check, put the Common Agricultural Policy in a good position to meet the target of a 25% reduction in administrative burden by 2012.