Rural commission axed just weeks after key report, Teesdale Mercury

ONLY two weeks after a watchdog called for more support for hill farmers, the Government has axed the organisation.

Last month, The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) published a report that said the uplands would play a crucial role in the future.

Among the recommendations was a new national strategy to help hill farmers, with a single individual responsible for the uplands.

But last week, Defra Secretary Caroline Spelman announced that CRC will be scrapped as part of a review into Defra agencies.

Teesdale’s MP Helen Goodman, who has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the future of hill farming, has criticised the move.

She said: “It’s hugely disappointing and a terrible blow. The commission wrote an excellent report into the uplands and called for exactly what was needed.”

Ms Goodman said she had arranged a meeting with the CRC to discuss issues in Teesdale following the report’s findings.

“That obviously won’t happen now,” she added.

The CRC, which has a budget of £6m funded by Defra, was established in October 2006. It has published a number of reports covering everything from skills needs in rural areas to housing issues.

Shaun Spiers, chief executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said he was worried about what affect the decision would have.

He said: “All governments, whatever their political complexion, need their decision-making to be informed by robust, independent 

and evidence-based policy advocacy. 

“Where necessary, they need to be held to account by authoritative but independent bodies. 

“We do not doubt that Defra will champion the countryside within government, but it will not always get its way and the freedom of 

Defra ministers and civil servants to speak out will be severely constrained.”

Dr Stuart Burgess, the chairman of CRC, last month called for a review into the controversial Upland Entry Level Scheme.

He also said farmers and landlords should be rewarded for protecting the landscape, providing clean water, storing carbon and preventing floods.

He described the Government’s decision to axe CRC as “regrettable”

Ms Spelman also announced that the Animal Health Agency and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency are to be merged.

“With an urgent need to drive down debt and reduce Government spending we will have to make some tough decisions,” she said.

Tim Farron, chairman of the Hill Farming All Party Parliamentary Group, has criticised the “unhelpful” timing of the decision

He expressed concern that the announcement will overshadow the findings of the uplands inquiry.

He said: “The Government is right to look at the value for money being provided by their arms-length bodies, but it should also be remembered that the Commission for Rural Communities was the only body ensuring that the interests of rural communities were truly reflected.”