The government has said it is on a 'significant drive' to simplify regulation across key growth sectors as part of its commitment to reduce the administrative costs of regulation by 25%.
It has said regulatory reviews will streamline farming and agri-tech rules, reducing paperwork, cutting duplication and supporting innovation while keeping essential protections.
These measures form part of the government's Industrial Strategy. Published last year, the strategy highlighted agri-tech as a key element and there was also a commitment to continue investing in the Farming Innovation Programme.
“Better, smarter regulation has huge potential to unlock progress across our sector, and it’s good to see this direction of travel.”
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
This followed significant lobbying from the NFU, where we were glad to see that agri-tech was recognised as a ‘frontier industry’.
Barriers not just regulatory
Responding to the news, NFU Deputy President David Exwood said: “We welcome the government’s recognition of agri-tech as a key driver of growth, and any steps that reduce duplication and support innovation are always positive to see. Better, smarter regulation has huge potential to unlock progress across our sector, and it’s good to see this direction of travel.
“We will continue engaging with the government on this work, while simultaneously pressing for a policy environment that gives farm businesses the stability they need to contribute fully to the UK’s growth ambitions.”
The NFU has reiterated to the Department for Business and Trade that the barriers to adoption of agri-tech and the potential opportunities that may arise from this stretch beyond the regulatory burden, with low profitability, limited access to capital, poor digital connectivity and a lack of confidence to invest all key factors.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the government is “placing big bets on the industries where Britain can win, backing our innovators with real firepower, and cutting the red tape that holds them back”.
