Europe package to cut red tape

Cutting red tape is one of the objectives of a new European Commission package on healthier animals and plants.

The package aims to reduce almost 70 pieces of legislation to just five.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the regulation proposed for the commercial plant and seed sector differs very little from those rules already in operation, apart from introducing a more streamlined certification process.

Importantly though, the regulation proposes to reduce the administrative burden on micro-enterprises, such as small seed processors who would be exempted by-and-large from all mandatory registration and control charges.

Private gardeners and amateur growers would not be affected by these proposed regulations and would be able to continue to exchange seed as before, he told Deputies Martin Ferris and Clare Daly in separate written replies to Dáil questions.

Mr Coveney said it is anticipated that the new regime will not be in place before 2016. In the intervening period, all stakeholders will have ample opportunity to raise any legitimate concerns.

The European Commission intends to engage proactively with stakeholders through information seminars to provide concrete and accurate information on both the content and scope, as well as the basis for the legislation, he said.

Copa-Cogeca, the European umbrella group for the sectors, meanwhile said that the package is designed to strengthen EU animal and plant health, seeds and safety measures.

Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said the move will cut red tape and costly obligations and administrative burdens for farmers and industry substantially.