Moaning at DEFRA

[Jane Gillett]

First of all "DEFRA" - Department of FOOD and Rural Affairs; relevant to a
FOOD and Drink group. OK?

I refer to a DEFRA document called "Identifying and recording sheep and
goats" which has just arrived by post accompanied by a letter which states
that an electronic system of reporting animal movement will be introduced
from April 2014.
OK.
My moan is the following paragraph in the letter:
"Please note that in line with the Government's digital strategy this is
the last time that a paper copy of this guidance is being distributed.
Future changes will only be made to the online version.".
A url is given.

Why does this annoy me?

The document in question is a 16 page (+ fancy illustrated cover) brochure.
It will probably appear as a pdf or have that as an alternative.
Either way it will be big and take a long time to download.

In common with many other rural areas - <where the majority of sheep are
farmed, surprise, surprise> - we have a very small internet bandwidth which
means that big documents take a long time to download so it's not a good
route for most farmers to receive big communications; government ones are
the ones I am complaining about.

Why am I singling out "government"?

Government has plans for rolling out "Faster Internet for ALL" or some such
title. Only problem is tha our area is apparently not on the list for the
planned rollout; seemingly too small. We MAY be considered when/if the
situation is reassessed AFTER the present exercise is completed but in the
interim we cannot expect any improvement. In addition, IAGTU there are
areas which do not even have access to broadband.

Now, we have chosen to live in a rural area (most farmers generally do) and
if you live in such an area it is reasonable to assume that some of the
advantages of modern life may not reach you for instance we have no public
transport. We don't complain about that (well, not often) just live with
it, and if we have problems with certain private communications that's our
decision, but I do expect a <government> department which knowingly deals
particularly with rural areas not to expect to be able to use all the
facilities which would be available in non-rural areas. So why is DEFRA
choosing methods which rely on fast internet? May I suggest that either
they are not aware of the internet restrictions of farming areas (ie don't
know their job) or just don't care; not their problem.

Muttering
Jane

[Tim C.]

Post by Jane Gillett
Government has plans for rolling out "Faster Internet for ALL" or some such
title. Only problem is tha our area is apparently not on the list for the
planned rollout; seemingly too small.

Sounds like the bit from the Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy: no-one was
poor, at least, no-one worth mentioning. :-(

[Jane Gillett]

Post by Tim C.

Post by Jane Gillett
Government has plans for rolling out "Faster Internet for ALL" or some such
title. Only problem is tha our area is apparently not on the list for the
planned rollout; seemingly too small.

Sounds like the bit from the Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy: no-one was
poor, at least, no-one worth mentioning. :-(

Seems to sum it up well. Being realistic, I can understand govt defining a
set of larger areas (most recipients to benefit) for its first pass but I
think it should give definite proposals - NOT "we might.." - which will
bring the remainder up to standard.

Cheers
Jane

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by Jane Gillett

Post by Jane Gillett
but I do expect a <government> department which knowingly deals
particularly with rural areas not to expect to be able to use all the
facilities which would be available in non-rural areas. So why is DEFRA
choosing methods which rely on fast internet? May I suggest that either
they are not aware of the internet restrictions of farming areas (ie don't
know their job)

that would be it

Get on to the NFU, they have influence with the tories. How do I know?
NFU Kings Bldg, Smith Square, London SW1P 3JJ
Conservative Central Office 32 Smith Square
(Actually Tories have moved down the road now).

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by Mike.. . . .

Post by Jane Gillett
May I suggest that either

Post by Jane Gillett
they are not aware of the internet restrictions of farming areas (ie don't
know their job)

that would be it

IIRC the same situation applies or is about to apply to benefits, you
have to claim online. The govt seems to have decided that online is
practicable everywhere along with the implication everyone can afford
and understand a computer.

[Jane Gillett]

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by Jane Gillett

Post by Jane Gillett
but I do expect a <government> department which knowingly deals
particularly with rural areas not to expect to be able to use all the
facilities which would be available in non-rural areas. So why is DEFRA
choosing methods which rely on fast internet? May I suggest that either
they are not aware of the internet restrictions of farming areas (ie don't
know their job)

that would be it
Get on to the NFU, they have influence with the tories. How do I know?
NFU Kings Bldg, Smith Square, London SW1P 3JJ
Conservative Central Office 32 Smith Square
(Actually Tories have moved down the road now).

Yes. How <do> you know? Is that your stamping ground?
Seriously, I have thought of getting on to NFU but get the general feeling
that govt as implemented in DEFRA is likely to be effectively immoveable on
such subjects.

IMV it is actually a common problem of systems design in general - nonIT as
well as IT - the designers work in a conveniently "furnished" (meaning
having all requirements present) offices and have very little experience of
the real environment the new system is to operate in. I'm moaning about
govt-imposed requirements here; if you encounter such problems in private
businesses then its a case of your relationship with that particular
business but I do think that where govt imposes a legal requirement then
they must ensure that the people who design the implementation know the
factors which influence the way their systems will work. It's part of
"knowing the job".

IOW it is irrational to impose systems which require fast internet if
another part of the govt is saying that the areas in which those those
systems will operate are to be excluded from the very steps which provide
that fast internet.

Cheers
jane

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by Jane Gillett

Post by Jane Gillett

Post by Mike.. . . .
Get on to the NFU, they have influence with the tories. How do I know?
NFU Kings Bldg, Smith Square, London SW1P 3JJ
Conservative Central Office 32 Smith Square
(Actually Tories have moved down the road now).

Yes. How <do> you know? Is that your stamping ground?

We both used to work in government of various flavours, SWMBO was
across road from DEFRA during FMD, her lights were always on later
than DEFRA...... It just struck me that the two headquarters in Smith
Square were convenient to popin, but then again thats where govt is,
SWMBO used to be on next exercise bike to Brown, there were often MPs
in "our" (thier?) favourite curry house.

Post by Jane Gillett
Seriously, I have thought of getting on to NFU but get the general feeling
that govt as implemented in DEFRA is likely to be effectively immoveable on
such subjects.

gt a lot of people to complain and its a smallish decision to continue
paper, the style of people like Pickles and Cameron are to make
decisions on the hoof which override the civil service, they have no
respect whatsoever for procedure and officers.