Regulatory burdens for businesses – NFU responds to government survey

The DBT's questionnaire has now closed for responses.

The NFU has submitted a detailed response to the DBT's (Department for Business and Trade’s) business questionnaire on regulatory burden.

The purpose of the questionnaire was to identify regulations that could be amended or removed to help the government achieve its target of reducing the administrative costs of regulation by 25%.

Our response highlighted several key areas where regulatory requirements place significant pressure on farming businesses:

Environmental and planning regulations

• Habitats Directive, Environmental Impact Regulations and planning regulations were identified as areas where complexity and cost could be reduced.
• Concerns were raised about planning rules and Biodiversity Net Gain, which can create additional hurdles for farm development.

Livestock sector

• Regulations relating to carcase splitting, labelling, and official controls were highlighted as putting extra costs of farming businesses.
• Potential new regulations around water and air quality compliance, as well as rules on lamb castration and tail docking were noted that they would add significant costs on farming businesses and if these were to be explored further, they need to follow good regulation practice. 

Poultry sector

• The NFU called for flexibility on alternative proteins, streamlined auditing processes and earned recognition, and improvements to the time and costs associated with environmental permitting.

Cereals and horticulture

• The NFU called for a horticulture productivity scheme to replace the Fruit and Vegetable Scheme and highlighted that the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations restrict opportunities. We also called for regulation in connection to intensive energy use to be reviewed as it places excessive costs on businesses .

Other key issues

• The need to increase tractor trailer weight limits to improve efficiency.
• Concerns over rodenticide regulations which have put additional costs on businesses and the need for earned recognition.
• Animal health and welfare regulations were also raised as they often go beyond scientific evidence, potentially undermining farm competitiveness.

DBT is currently reviewing the submissions which it will use to help develop further reforms to the UK regulatory system so that it is fit for purpose and the future, minimising burdens on business without reducing safeguards.

We will continue to keep members updated as the government progresses with this area of work.

The NFU has finished gathering feedback and will shortly be submitting its collective response.

The NFU will also be submitting a collective response to the government's questionnaire on the regulatory burden borne by businesses. 

If you would like to share specific examples or input to inform our submission, please email NFU Chief Adviser for Business and Farm Management Richard Potts at: [email protected] by 6 December 2025.

The government has launched a new questionnaire inviting businesses to share direct feedback on the impact of regulation.

This review follows the government’s target to reduce administrative regulatory costs by 25%. It seeks views from businesses and industry experts to help identify regulations that may be outdated, duplicate work or that are disproportionate as well as those that may be holding back growth, innovation and investment.

While the aim is to make regulation more efficient and growth-focused, regulations should continue to protect the environment, safeguard human and animal health, and maintain consumer confidence.

The questionnaire is divided into five sections covering:

• Regulatory burdens to business growth and innovation.
• Direct costs of regulation on businesses.
• Indirect costs of regulation.
• Opportunity costs of regulation for businesses and consumers.
• Background information.

You can respond to the government directly by 16 December at: GOV.UK | Unlocking business: reform driven by you.