Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme Roadshows Not ‘Formal’ Information Gathering Exercises
I’ve been made aware of concerns that have been raised at the Welsh Government’s Roadshow events on the Sustainable Farming Scheme that the Government aren’t collecting feedback from farmers who attend.
In response to a Written Question by Samuel Kurtz MS, the Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, who asked how the feedback from the roadshows is being captured, the Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths confirmed that they are not ‘formal information gathering’ exercises.
The Minister explains that the roadshows are ‘to raise awareness of the consultation’.
I agree with Samuel Kurtz and his concern that the feelings and views of the farmers attending is not being fed back to the Welsh Government.
Samuel Kurtz explained:
“Having had feedback from attendees of the Welsh Government’s roadshow events, who said only a few universal actions were discussed and some farmers left in frustration and anger at the proposals, I’m concerned that this information isn’t being gathered or passed on to the Minister. This shows that the Welsh Government’s aren’t listening to farmers, despite those who aired their frustrations thinking their concerns would be acknowledged and form part of the feedback. I urge every farmer to complete the consultation, to make their views known and I will keep fighting for our industry in the Senedd.”
If we need a further example – which actually we don’t – of the Welsh Government being out-of-touch and totally wrapped up in their Cardiff bubble, this is just another one. If the Welsh Government are paying for these roadshows, which they are, then why don’t they make them work? The Government saying they are just making them aware of the consultation seems a costly way to go about it if they aren’t taking feedback at each event. Why not talk to farmers if they have taken the trouble and expense to attend and get their view then and there. I’m sure farmers are fed-up of filling in Government forms.
I have no idea how much these roadshows cost, but it appears to be a waste of money if no-one from the Government is in attendance talking, but more importantly ‘listening to farmers’. But this is the Welsh Government doing what the Welsh Government does so well – tick boxes.
Another similar view has been expressed by the FUW & can be seen at https://www.welshcountry.co.uk/the-importance-of-getting-the-sustainable-farming-scheme-right-cannot-be-underestimated/
