Government slated
Government slated
YOUNG people have lost faith in the governments rural credentials, branding it ignorant of the countryside and destructive to farming in the FARMERS WEEKLY Next Generation Survey.
More than 40% felt the government was destructive towards British agriculture, with 34% considering it unhelpful.
Less than 1% of the 700-plus 16- to 30-year-olds considered it "very supportive", with its handling of foot-and-mouth, lax import controls, red tape and a lack of support for new entrants among the complaints.
"The government is arrogant – they dont seem to care," said 19-year-old Ross Willmington. "Its such an urban government – it doesnt understand and hasnt tried to find out."
The top brass at DEFRA should, he said, have a rural pedigree. "Caravanning in the countryside is about the only qualification Margaret Beckett seems to have."
Government must play a bigger role in establishing a "level playing field" for the industry with Europe, said 25-year-old James Bourne.
"Without this, farming in Britain will be killed off. And once its gone, its gone for good.
"Agriculture is now dying on its feet and the family farm may become as extinct as the dodo."
Red tape and lack of support for new entrants were two of 25-year-old Toby Smalls chief criticisms.
"The lack of interest and ignorance [over rural matters] is causing more than economic damage," said Mr Small. "People like myself are leaving the industry in droves and unless the government recognises this as a serious social and also cultural problem it will be too late."
The survey results came just weeks after Prime Minister Tony Blair was voted Villain of the Year" by readers.
But a DEFRA spokesperson dubbed as "nonsense" suggestions that the minister needed to be from a rural background. *
"The fact is, this Department spends a lot of time, puts in a lot of expertise and spends a lot of money tackling issues affecting farming and the countryside. But the hard evidence to this does not always convince those who believe otherwise."