Policy makers 'not doing enough' to address needs of rural communities

The House of Lords committee is taking evidence on whether the Government has a coherent rural vision
The House of Lords committee is taking evidence on whether the Government has a coherent rural vision

Policy makers are not doing enough to address the needs and interests of rural communities including farm businesses, according to the NFU.

The farming union gave evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.

It comes as the NFU's release of a new document outlining what it would like the government to adopt as part of a new domestic agricultural policy.

The committee is taking evidence on whether the Government has a coherent rural vision and how it can better deliver on policy decisions for people living in remote areas of the UK.

The NFU says Defra needs to be more effective and has recommended the department looks to collate and coordinate the evidence base needed to better inform Government policy.

The NFU thinks that if the evidence had already been in place, there could have been more informed and rural-focused solutions established to ensure rural needs, such as broadband connectivity, are met.

'Varies greatly'

NFU Vice President Guy Smith, who gave evidence to the Select Committee on Tuesday (17 October), said his experience of meeting officials in various Government departments on different issues "varies greatly".

“I’m into BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) to talk about broadband, I’m into DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) to talk about planning and I’m into the Home Office to talk about labour and rural crime as well as visiting Defra frequently on all the issues that affect our members.

“Sometimes you do find joined-up thinking and an understanding of the impacts on farming – sometimes the issues just fall between departments instead of being picked up,” Mr Smith said.

'Cusp of huge change'

For 45 years, the UK has had policies being devised and constructed in Brussels, implementing successive CAP reforms driven from the European stage.

Mr Smith said the UK is on the "cusp of huge change". He said: “Farming will be the most impacted industry in a post-Brexit world. We will have an agricultural policy devised and constructed in Whitehall.

“I am convinced if the right decisions are made we will have a flowering of rural areas, a flowering of the farming industry – we could be producing more of our food needs. However, with the wrong polices we could end up importing more food where standards are different.”

Countryside Stewardship

Mr Smith also emphasised that the way Countryside Stewardship was being delivered was causing concern.

Incorrect and late application packs, an overcomplicated system and rumours of extremely delayed payments is clearly stopping farmers taking up the scheme, he said.

Mr Smith continued: “Going forward, all departments across Government should have responsibility for rural proofing including how they evidence and develop policies and how they engage with stakeholders and ensure they have sufficient knowledge about rural economies and communities interests.

“Politicians must know the impact of their policies on those being affected – they need to be finding out what’s happening ‘on the ground’. There needs to be an understanding of the needs of the rural and agricultural community backed up by comprehensive surveys done in a robust way.”