Dame Glenys Stacey report on farm inspections
Today, Dame Glenys Stacey published her final report into farming inspections and regulation. This completes the review that began in February this year. It has been covered on BBC Farming Today, Press Association and the Yorkshire Post, among others.
Dame Glenys concludes that the current approach to regulation is too inflexible, outdated and does not rely enough on modern technologies.
She recommends:
- More straightforward regulation and targeted guidance to farmers so they know what is required. In practice, this means local advisers would visit farmers to discuss issues such as biosecurity, soil quality or animal welfare, rather than turning up to impose an automatic penalty.
- One independent regulator to simplify the experience for farmers and avoid duplication between different organisations
- Better use of technology, such as satellite data and drones, to reduce the need for ‘on-foot’ inspections
The Government will respond to the review in the New Year.
Washington DC reception on anti-microbial resistance
Today the UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, and Biosecurity Minister Lord Gardiner attended a reception at the British Embassy in Washington DC on anti-microbial resistance (AMR).
Alongside the UK Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, they met with representatives from the US Government, including the Department of Agriculture, Members of Congress and various representatives of the farming and veterinary industries.
They discussed animal disease control and the strategic solutions to collectively mitigate the global threat of AMR. The UK remains committed to its role as a world leader in helping preserve medicines for future generations.
The latest information on the UK’s action against AMR is available on GOV.UK.