Plans for Farm Advice

A review of DEFRA-sponsored advice, incentives and partnership approaches has been carried out with the aim of improving farm advice.  It found that the current provision of advice for farmers is complex and fragmented and suggested that future advice must be more integrated, streamlined and efficient.  In the future advice should have a greater focus on competitiveness and rural economic growth potential whilst achieving environmental outcomes and providing greater value to the tax payer.

The report can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2013/03/27/pb13900-review-advice-incentives-partnership/.  It looked at commitments made in the 2011 Natural Environment White Paper (NEWP) and the responses to the Farming Regulation Task Force as well as building on previous initiatives such as the Green Food Project. 

Savings from the changes are estimated at up to 25% of the current £20m spent on farm advice.  The report details that advice must be delivered using a variety of approaches and delivered at a local level by trusted advisors.  Schemes must also be better targeted with clear goals and objectives.  Robust monitoring and evaluations will also be key to the success of these future developments.

It is also recognised that the government and the industry must work together to provide the greatest benefits.  From early 2014 all training information provided for government supported advice will be available online to industry advisors.  After April 2014 all information from DEFRA and linked websites will be available on the gov.uk website.  Guidance on areas such as cross compliance will be primarily digital by next year however provisions will be made available for those without suitable broadband access.

Quarterly meetings between the government and representatives from the farming advice industry will also be introduced from May.  These meetings will enable better co-ordination of advice as well as providing a platform for the industry to give regular feedback.  The more integrated approach aims to allow farmers to speak to fewer advisors whilst still getting the full range of advice.