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Are the AHDB complicit with RT?

Solution
So having seen some of the correspondence now it's absolutely outrageous.

So yes the AHDB, AIC, NFU and RT are complicit in acting against the farmer. They are demonstrably engineering a situation whereby almost all grain has to be funnelled for sale via a RT payment. It is wrong..RT are a private company and we have already seen that they are overreaching wherever they can.

Having seen this in practice now, despite all the "good work" the AHDB do I'm sorry but they need to be shut down. Let something more ethical take its place. You cannot have an organisation acting against its levy payers - you just can't. If there is something rotten near the top then you just can't let it continue.

It needs representation to all MPs who have an...

Worsall

Member
Arable Farmer
DEFRA REVIEW APRIL 2020
Following a review into its role and function, the government has today set out a series of recommendations so the AHDB can be a modern and dynamic organisation that keeps pace with the needs of industry.
Accountability to levy payers.
There is strong support for a ballot of levy payers every five years as to whether a levy in each sector should continue. A ballot of levy payers could potentially provide industry with greater ownership and a say in the future direction of AHDB. I have asked my officials and officials from the devolved administrations to scope out this proposal further. In principle, I envisage AHDB would consult levy payers in each sector and put before them a five year programme of activity, for both cross-cutting areas and sector-specific priorities. Levy payers would then be able to vote on whether that programme is the most appropriate to support their sector.
 

warksfarmer

Member
Arable Farmer
Yes all the good work the ADHB do is in danger of being lost. Baby and bath water comes to mind. As G&G says, it's simple. Stop backing RT and give growers an alternative and they can carry on, if not its goodnight and out.
There’s nothing good about the AHDB in my view. Under the freedom of information act I asked them for all the minutes from meetings from the last 4 years where Red Tractor was mentioned/discussed.

They came back with 1.

The AHDB pay RT £250,000 per year yet they never discuss it apparently.

The AHDB are as corrupt as RT and AIC and are hiding behind silence. When the cereals vote comes in AHDB are finished like the potato and horticulture sector of the setup.
 

Flat 10

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Fen Edge
There’s nothing good about the AHDB in my view. Under the freedom of information act I asked them for all the minutes from meetings from the last 4 years where Red Tractor was mentioned/discussed.

They came back with 1.

The AHDB pay RT £250,000 per year yet they never discuss it apparently.

The AHDB are as corrupt as RT and AIC and are hiding behind silence. When the cereals vote comes in AHDB are finished like the potato and horticulture sector of the setup.
That’s very disappointing. In the absence of a more relevant alternative I find the recommended list useful along with some of their trial work. However if they don’t immediately begin to distance themselves further from RT then I will vote for abolition (reluctantly).
 

B'o'B

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Rutland
Just so you can all come to terms with it quicker and not get your hopes up to much. Apparently George Eustice has decided that there won’t a yes/no vote on funding of AHDB cereals/oilseeds this time.
 

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
There’s nothing good about the AHDB in my view. Under the freedom of information act I asked them for all the minutes from meetings from the last 4 years where Red Tractor was mentioned/discussed.

They came back with 1.

The AHDB pay RT £250,000 per year yet they never discuss it apparently.

The AHDB are as corrupt as RT and AIC and are hiding behind silence. When the cereals vote comes in AHDB are finished like the potato and horticulture sector of the setup.
That's one bit of discussion per £1m!

Under freedom of information, I think you asked them for correspondence from AIC, NFU, RT??? Did they ever provide it?
 

ajd132

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Suffolk
Just so you can all come to terms with it quicker and not get your hopes up to much. Apparently George Eustice has decided that there won’t a yes/no vote on funding of AHDB cereals/oilseeds this time.
And in the mean time they have given him the ammo to ban autumn manure whilst the government passes a bill to allow private water companies to pump raw sewage into rivers.
Everything is a joke these days.
 

teslacoils

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
That's how I umderstood it.

Wonder how many levy payers needed to trigger a vote?

There are growers / farmers on the adhb cereals board. Lobby them to put "should we be disbanded" on the agenda to be voted on.

Otherwise I'll have a go at reclaiming my levy money on the grounds that I paid for a service but did not receive any / they spaffed the money on fancy meals out and gave the rest to an organisation we all hate.

Compulsory levy that provides *zero* benefit. Bet they have had £20k of my money in my short period of farming.
 

warksfarmer

Member
Arable Farmer
That's one bit of discussion per £1m!

Under freedom of information, I think you asked them for correspondence from AIC, NFU, RT??? Did they ever provide it?
 

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Chris F

Staff
Moderator
Location
Hammerwich
The AHDB are as corrupt as RT and AIC and are hiding behind silence. When the cereals vote comes in AHDB are finished like the potato and horticulture sector of the setup.

Can't say I agree with the last bit regarding corruption. There are lots and lots of good people there.

But as an organisation they are paralyzed by inaction. Over the last 7 years I have heard multiple time they "are in a period of change", but the reality is nothing changes. And change is required. They do lots of good, but are they value for money? Do they do a good enough job of communicating with farmers?

Fixes required and they need to happen quickly. But I think Tim has got this message loud and clear.
 

Clive

Staff Member
Moderator
Location
Lichfield
Anyone in doubt of collusion between AHDB, NFU, and Red Tractor should do a freedom of information request asking for emails sent by AHDB staff over the last 12 months on the Red Tractor subject, can't legally publish the email but anyone can request their own copy ! ....... I strongly urge all levy payers to do so

A TFF member has done this and the content of these emails will boil your blood !

Everything feared is right there in black and white, More resignations are required I think !

@AM_Arable there is a big story here if you want to tell a reporter to get in touch - this rats nest needs exposing
 
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tepapa

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Wales
Anyone in doubt of collusion between AHDB, NFU, and Red Tractor should do a freedom of information request asking for emails sent by AHDB staff over the last 12 months on the Red Tractor subject, cnat legally publish the email but anyone can request their own copy ! ....... I strongly urge all levy payers to do so

A TFF member has done this and the content of these emails will boil your blood !

Everything feared is right there in black and white, More resignations are required I think !

@AM_Arable there is a big story here if you want to tell a reporter to get in touch - this rats nest needs exposing
Do AHDB have any future after the contents are exposed?
 

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