MAFF has made significant progress in cutting red tape, according to IACS and Inspection Red Tape Review Group Chairman, Don Curry.

In a letter to Agriculture Minister Nick Brown, Don Curry said: "The group is very pleased overall with MAFF's commitment and its progress in implementing almost all our recommendations. In particular, the group commends the Department for its achievements on simplification of EU regulations and its success on field margins."

The Group also welcomed proposals for a new CAP Paying Agency.

Additionally, Mr Curry said: "The group is also pleased that so much progress has been made in updating the Cattle Tracing System through the Cattle Herd Registration Exercise. We hope it will ultimately be possible to reduce the regulatory burden

significantly by completely removing the need to fill in claim forms for the cattle schemes. We must press ahead to achieve this as soon as possible."

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, February 15, 2001