August 2021 – “Diddly Squat” Flexibility in Some Support Schemes

I’ve been enjoying watching Clarkson’s Farm.  In fact, I haven’t spoken to anyone – even those not involved in agriculture – who hasn’t.

Yes, he sometimes acts the fool, but the show convincingly conveys how tough agriculture is and highlights the challenges farmers face – whether that’s technical, mechanical, meteorological or bureaucratic.

One scene that particularly struck a chord was the BPS form-filling nightmare he faced because of the variety of crops on Diddly Squat Farm.

The former Top Gear-presenting petrolhead decided, understandably, to grow a range of produce to stock his farm shop’s shelves, but soon discovered the difficulties and frustrations in terms of paperwork this brings.

It’s sadly an all-too-common occurrence in agriculture – bureaucratically cumbersome support schemes ending up driving decision-making in ways precisely contrary to their aim.

 

Read the full article here……..