DEFRA liaising with TFF.

[Clive]

Surely if DEFRA are liasing with TFF in any way it must be a good thing. Up until now the only organisation representing British agriculture at Government level has been the NFU. If TFF can become an organisation representing British agriculture at government level that will be great.

We communicate regularly with DEFRA but only on the basis that they can see the usefulness of a platform like TFF for knowledge exchange amongst farmers and can use opinion and feedback they read here to help them shape policy, promote /communicate what they are doing and deal with issues etc

TFF is not and will not lobby however, that is not our remit. We aim to simply provide a independent platform where any individual (or groups of) can represent themselves - equally

My personal view is that what the members of TFF have to say every day is now far more representative of UK agriculture, the independent and free speech and easy, barrier free access nature of the site makes it far more democratic than the NFU and it’s equivalents

 

[Clive]

Representatives of TFF should be voted in that way it’s a fair and level playing field for ALL.
(Such a diverse mix on here)

TFF will never have representatives, it will never lobby, it’s will remain independent and neutral

those that use it can do so howver they wish as long as both legal and decent

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Or a cult with Kiwi Pete as there leader!

One of them likes to follow him around like a sheep and like everything he posts.

I don't know who you are referring to with regards to liking everything Kiwi Pete posts.
He has an extraordinary record on this forum so it could be anyone.
He has made 22916 posts with a reaction score of 76918.

Statistically he probably would be the most representative person on here.

 

[spin cycle]

defra are members on here arn't they?....be useful to tag them now/again if so

 

[Cab-over Pete]

We communicate regularly with DEFRA but only on the basis that they can see the usefulness of a platform like TFF for knowledge exchange amongst farmers and can use opinion and feedback they read here to help them shape policy, promote /communicate what they are doing and deal with issues etc

TFF is not and will not lobby however, that is not our remit. We aim to simply provide a independent platform where any individual (or groups of) can represent themselves - equally

My personal view is that what the members of TFF have to say every day is now far more representative of UK agriculture, the independent and free speech and easy, barrier free access nature of the site makes it far more democratic than the NFU and it’s equivalents

So come on then, we all want to know. Need to know…..,

What do they think of the Ooooohhhhh thread?

 

[andybk]

I just did.
He says, "There's no way it can be done. The only option is to do it in, what has condesendingly been described elsewhere as, 'little groups'."

Working on the principal of ' if you chuck enough sh!t at something, sooner or later some of it will stick', seems to be our only option.

Something is better than nothing, 'cos you can bet your bottom dollar that the likes of NT, RSPB and all the rest will be in there trying to push their agendas.

they pay professional political lobbyists, who give the questions and answers to question they will be asked , to every minister they have on board , ministers and civil service want a quiet life so these groups have all the power . Asking us is all noise to them .

 

[Devon Gurfallo]

If Defra want to communicate with real farmers could they have there own page on hear. Put ideas up and allow the members to give there option on it. May need some rules to keep it constructive. Thought @Clive, @Chris F

 

[Clive]

If Defra want to communicate with real farmers could they have there own page on hear. Put ideas up and allow the members to give there option on it. May need some rules to keep it constructive. Thought @Clive, @Chris F

exactly this is a big part of the thinking and reasons behind the new “resources” section added in our recent update

Resources

thefarmingforum.co.uk

it’s something that DEFRA, AHDB and several others that wish to communicate more directly with farmers and share information have been asking us for over the last few years

I spent 2hrs today preparing and asking Janet Hughes the questions asked by members re ELMS for a video that will be released asap and Janet is doing a live “ask me anything” evening here in early September

There is clear desire to work more directly with farmers and not so much with undemocratic our of date unions that can’t possibly represent everyone

the more we all interact with them the more they will interact with us - its a 2 way process so please use and support / feedback on the resources section

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Or a cult with Kiwi Pete as there leader!

One of them likes to follow him around like a sheep and like everything he posts.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

exactly this is a big part of the thinking and reasons behind the new “resources” section added in our recent update

Resources

thefarmingforum.co.uk

it’s something that DEFRA, AHDB and several others that wish to communicate more directly with farmers and share information have been asking us for over the last few years

I spent 2hrs today preparing and asking Janet Hughes the questions asked by members re ELMS for a video that will be released asap and Janet is doing a live “ask me anything” evening here in early September

There is clear desire to work more directly with farmers and not so much with undemocratic our of date unions that can’t possibly represent everyone

the more we all interact with them the more they will interact with us - its a 2 way process so please use and support / feedback on the resources section

Ask me anything??!!!! That sounds like fun.

 

[neilo]

There is clear desire to work more directly with farmers and not so much with undemocratic our of date unions that can’t possibly represent everyone

Divide and conquer?

 

[Walton2]

Ask me anything…..don’t make me laugh.

 

[puppet]

Divide and conquer?

exactly this is a big part of the thinking and reasons behind the new “resources” section added in our recent update

Resources

thefarmingforum.co.uk

it’s something that DEFRA, AHDB and several others that wish to communicate more directly with farmers and share information have been asking us for over the last few years

There is clear desire to work more directly with farmers and not so much with undemocratic our of date unions that can’t possibly represent everyone

There is no doubt that farming groups should have access to government especially senior civil servants who are the ones who take the wacky ideas of the politicians and try to make them work.
You may feel that unions are undemocratic but that is not my overall experience in Scotland where senior appointments have to engage directly with members.
Politicians will always seek out people from outwith the recognised structures to support their views. As long as they are open about it others can challenge it. We are seeing it this week where the Oxford vaccine Professor is saying that a Covid booster is too early but the Health Minister is already saying that he is making plans to give it with the flu jabs.
If you want to see an extreme example then Google Clive Froggatt and see how he bypassed the BMA structures to the centre of Maggie's government or more recently Lex Greenshill

 

[Bury the Trash]

I don't know who you are referring to with regards to liking everything Kiwi Pete posts.
He has an extraordinary record on this forum so it could be anyone.
He has made 22916 posts with a reaction score of 76918.

Statistically he probably would be the most representative person on here.

Doesn't quite work like that actually, could be the same 14 people liking 5,494 or so posts each.

Instead of one man one vote, remember .

 

[Henarar]

Doesn't quite work like that actually, could be the same 14 people liking 5,494 or so posts each.

Instead of one man one vote, remember .

since the TFF makeover they could all be reactions

 

[Robt]

Representatives of TFF should be voted in that way it’s a fair and level playing field for ALL.
(Such a diverse mix on here)

But how do you vote In people you don’t know? You could vote for who you think is great on here. But you don’t actually know them!

 

[Yale]

Divide and conquer?

NFU have certainly divided their membership with red tractor.

We are paid up members of the NFU and until Covid attended county meetings.

You have to ask though do you get any useful representation from sitting in a room full of farmers who mainly go there as a social event.Half of them will be moaning one way,the other half the other,making comments and pushing agendas which suit their sectors.

I suppose that’s the way it’s been for a while however the world has changed and it is easier than ever to simply represent yourself……or not.

 

[The Ruminant]

Divide and conquer?

Quite. Let’s form a group….

 

[neilo]

Quite. Let’s form a group….

Absolutely Just so long as that group don't try to suggest their views are in any way representative of anyone other than that group. Of course, DEFRA might give less weight to the opinions of a small group, than they would of a larger one.....

 

[Pilatus]

That is wrong and quite insulting. Organisations like the Tenant Farmers Association, the National Sheep Association, the Countryside Landowners Association, Farmers Wildlife Action Group etc etc have been representing farmers in specific groups for decades at a governmental level...

Apologies.