To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total cost of the Review of the Balance
of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union to the Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its associated agencies, broken down by
(1) staff time, (2) printing costs, (3) running of engagement events, (4) witness
expenses, (5) publicity of the reports, and (6) any and all other associated costs.
<p>Defra was responsible for the following reports as part of the Balance of Competences
Review:</p><ul><li>Animal Health and Welfare and Food Safety (which was produced jointly
with the Food Standards Agency);</li><li>Environment and Climate Change (which was
produced jointly with DECC);</li><li>Agriculture; and</li><li>Fisheries.</li></ul><p>
</p><p>1) Staff costs</p><p>The cost of the Defra team which led on producing the
four reports between 2012 and 2014 was approximately £500,000. The team drew on expert
advice from staff across the Department. Providing a full breakdown of all staff time
and costs would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.</p><p> </p><p>2) Printing
costs</p><p>Defra paid approximately £13<del class="ministerial">0</del>,000 to print
and publish the four reports.</p><p> </p><p>3) Running engagement events</p><p>Engagement
events were held in Brussels, various locations in all parts of the UK, and at Defra’s
London and York offices. The total cost of events, including refreshments and Defra
staff travel, was approximately £4,000. To provide a full breakdown of staff time
and costs would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.</p><p> </p><p>4) Witness
expenses</p><p>Defra did not incur any expenses for witnesses.</p><p>5) Publicity</p><p>Defra
did not incur expenses for publicity of the reports.</p><p> </p><p>6) All other associated
costs</p><p>There were no other associated costs.</p>
