The Rural Payments Agency should remain part of Defra for the time being, according to a new government report.
The Hunter Review, a report reviewing the future of the Rural Payments Agency, was commissioned by Defra in March 2006 to look at the agency's current and possible future functions.
The report has made a number of additional recommendations to Defra ministers.
It points out that The Single Payment Scheme has some way to go before full stabilisation is achieved. With this in mind, the review recommends against major changes in the structure or the responsibilities of the agency in the immediate future.
It argues that the RPA, Defra and other Defra agencies need to work more closely together and, in so doing, to simplify interactions between the department and the farming industry, reducing the burdens on farmers.
The RPA inspectorate and other inspecting agencies undertaking on-farm inspections are asked to work together more, so as to focus inspections more effectively and reduce the burden imposed on the industry. The RPA inspectorate should explore the scope for playing an advisory role alongside that of enforcement;
Food and farming Minister Jeff Rooker said: “The priority for the next two years must be getting the SPS right and with that in mind, it would be the wrong moment to attempt radical change in the agency's structure or responsibilities,” he stated, “The chief executive of the RPA is developing a series of recovery actions for the agency consistent with the recommendations set out in the review and I look forward to working with him to continue to improve the agency's performance."