Talk to the countryside

THE NFU is urging all Government departments to connect with the countryside, as a Defra report shows many policies don’t work for rural communities. Published in March, Rural proofing in England examines ‘Government policies closely from a rural perspective’, looking at how much they consider the countryside’s needs and constraints, and creating ‘a baseline for evaluating [Government] performance over time,’ according to Rural Affairs and Biosecurity Minister John Gardiner.

For the Nfu—whose own report Levelling up rural Britain already notes that rural proofing primary legislation is key to achieving prosperity and green economy targets —the Defra paper reveals ‘a large gap between urban and rural areas’. Among many policies currently failing the countryside are the shift towards online health care, which, albeit positive, is problematic for people with limited broadband, and the minuscule percentage of new homes to be built in the countryside, despite a severe shortage.

A key issue is that the Government has tended to see rural policies as the preserve of Defra, whereas decisions taken in many other departments can have huge consequences for country communities. The NFU asks that every department step up its relationship with the countryside.

‘Successive governments have been asked to address long-standing inequalities between rural and urban areas,’ notes the NFU’S Amy Cobbett. ‘The Government needs to engage with rural communities, interest groups and stakeholders, so they are part of discussions early on and can be involved in and influence decision making at all levels.’ Carla Passino