The majority of Brian Pack's recommendations to reduce red tape in Scottish agriculture have been formally accepted by the Scottish Government.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed the move following the second meeting of the Scottish Government's Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment (RAFE) Delivery Board, which was set up in the wake of the Pack review.
Mr Lochhead said: "The focus of farmers and crofters should be on producing food for our tables rather than filling in forms. Brian's red tape review has exposed the sheer complexity of agriculture regulation and legislation - not just here in Scotland, but across the whole of the EU.
"The Scottish Government and our agencies - through the RAFE Delivery Board - are firmly committed to taking further steps to minimise the bureaucratic burden for farmers and crofters.
"Having considered carefully and in great depth all of Brian's 61 recommendations, I am pleased to confirm today that the Scottish Government has now accepted the vast majority of them.
"Their implementation will now be driven forward by the RAFE Delivery Board. Of course, some recommendations will require action at EU level.
"Our formal response to the Pack review, published today, also sets out what action we are taking regarding the very small number of recommendations we are not taking forward at this time following further consultation with industry representatives and experts."
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had less sheep forward than usual at their weekly sale in Newton Stewart yesterday, due to trade slipping back and farmers getting on with silage and haymaking in the good weather. The 443 prime lambs on offer sold to a top of £75 per head and 166.3p per kg to average 151.8p (-4.2p on the week).
A small show of 54 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £108 for Suffolks and £65.50 for Blackfaces, while 78 hoggs peaked at £65 for Texels.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 12 prime heifers in Dumfries yesterday to a top of 229.5p per kg and an average of 200.2p.
There were 78 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 132.6p and dairy cows levelled at 108.4p.
The firm also sold 258 prime lambs to a top of £87.50 and 180p to average 162.2p (+7.7p).
The 126 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £117.50 for Texels and average £83.40, while light ewes peaked at £68.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £59.46.
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