Results of the research by consultants Accenture that will form the evidence base for the Fresh Start review of levy boards, are published by Defra today.

Welcoming the report, Jeff Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food said: “This research is vital in understanding the needs of levy payers and how best the new arrangements I announced last June can react by delivering improved services, targeted where they can have greatest impact.”

The chair designate and the Shadow Board of Levy Board UK will use the results to inform decisions on the future activities of the new levy Board and its six new Sector Companies. The research sought the views of a wide range of interests in the agricultural and horticultural sectors on the needs of levy payers and how these needs can be met.

Key findings of the report are:

•Despite differences between the sectors, in terms of output, there was a strong commonality in the survey results, suggesting that the agricultural and horticultural sectors are facing a number of common issues, which should encourage further collaboration in the future.

•Good communications with levy payers was a key concern and indicates that this will be a key challenge for Levy Board UK and the new Sector Companies.

•Easing the burden of bueaucracy and regulatory compliance was cited by many levy payers and represents a key challenge for the new structure to address.

•Levy payers are keen to see more support channelled into the provision of information about the health and nutritional benefits of produce. Levy payers clearly support the case for further research and development in this area and in identifying new areas for product development and improving competitiveness in general.

•Not surprisingly, levy payers are particularly keen on seeing the new arrangements having an impact on their bottom line, both in terms of increased profitability and in terms of reducing their cost base.

Commenting on these finding, John Bridge, chair designate of the new levy Board said:

“First I am encouraged by the strong response and by the seeming unanimity across sectors. Levy payers have presented Levy Board UK and its six Sector Companies with a very challenging agenda, which we intend to fulfil, thereby providing our levy payers with a strong base for success in the future”

The report, and survey results can be viewed on the Levy Board Fresh Start WebPages on the Defra Website:

•http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/levy-bodies/freshstart/index.htm

Levy Boards are funded by statutory levies, paid by producers and trade purchasers Their main functions are to fund research and development, collect and disseminate market information, and to advertise and promote products at home and in export markets.

The five existing levy bodies (the British Potato Council, the Meat and Livestock Commission, the Milk Development Council, the Horticultural Development Council and the Home Grown Cereals Authority) will be replaced by one statutory levy board and six sector companies on April 1, 2008. The chair designate will lead this process of reform, including taking forward a review of the needs of the industry and the rates of levy.

The new statutory levy board will be a new Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB) established under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. The six sector companies will be companies limited by guarantee and will be wholly owned subsidiaries of the new levy board. The sectors represented will be: cereals and oilseeds, horticulture, milk, potatoes, English beef and lamb and English pigs.

More information on the Levy Board Fresh Start exercise and Levy Board reform can be found on the Defra Website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/levy-bodies/index.htm