§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they are making of the quality of advice on offer from the new farmers advice service; what waiting time farmers are experiencing between requesting advice and receiving advice; and whether this varies region by region. [HL269]
§ Lord WhittyAdvice under the Farm Business Advice Service (FBAS) is being delivered through the Business Link network and is subject to the same quality control measures as all Business Link branded services. These procedures include a review of action plans produced and feedback from farmers receiving the service. An external evaluation of the service is planned for early 2002.
As a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak, visits to farms by FBAS advisers were put on hold in February. As the outbreak is being brought under control, visits to farms have resumed. This follows an assessment of the risks involved by the State Veterinary Service and the adoption of strict biosecurity measures by the advisers when they make a farm visit. This will inevitably mean that farmers in some regions will have to wait longer for the service to be delivered than in others. It is too early to tell how quickly we will be able to clear the backlog of farmers awaiting delivery of the service.