The Government Respond

My apologies for my tardy response I do have a good excuse as I've started a new job in SWATK country. So I've been away from home and not been able to do this news justice. Well we've got a response from the government and here it is:

"Government guidelines on non-agricultural use of land under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) strike a balance between the need to allow for diversification opportunities with the necessity to abide by the EU rules on eligibility of land under the Scheme.
Much consideration has been given to the positioning of power kiting under category B, which allows the activity to take place for up to 28 days in the calendar year, and we conclude that this is the most appropriate category for this type of activity. Power kiting is analogous to other activities within this category where some preparation of the ground may be required and the parcel is, to some extent, unavailable for agricultural use whilst the activity, and in some cases preparation, is taking place.

However, we will continue to push for greater flexibility concerning non-agricultural activities to be introduced into the EU regulations and will take the opportunity of the forthcoming Common Agricultural Policy health check, when the SPS rules as a whole will be reviewed, to pursue this matter. "

They are doggedly sticking to their party line, which unfortunately is a little predictable. The campaign is not over as Jerry Swift of the BKFA is doing amazing work with the CCPR, who are very willing to help us out. There was a meeting week before last and as a result the message is that we need to get some press coverage. So we are looking for a Farmer or farmers who are prepared to go on the record and speak out for our cause, you know they would love to allow us to use their land, we're a responsible bunch and we don't do any damage. I will also continue dialogue with the NFU. So this book is definitely not closed....thanks again for all of your help....and keep your eye on the blog.....Fly Safe!!

The Petiton Ends......

I can't believe it a year has gone by and the petition has finally ended, its been quite a journey of discovery as to what this sport is all about. In the end we made it to 1,412 signatures, which despite being only 35% of my ambition is a great effort and indicator of the sports commitment to the campaign and their passion, so thanks once again to all of those of you that committed themselves and made their mark. We have managed to raise the profile to a national level of what is a pretty boring technical issue, so well done all. We have to wait now for the government response. All those of you that have signed will receive that in your inbox. I'm going to leave the counter up on the site so we can remind ourselves how long we've had to wait. I'm looking forward to seeing if they have anything different to say. Other avenues will continue to be pursued. I think the most value must lie with Jerry Swift (BKFA) and the CCPR, I have also written to programs like countryfile and Inside Out so we could be appearing on a screen near you or not?! I'm going to knock the forum posts on the head and focus on just maintaining the blog, so please feel free to leave you contribution here. So we're not done yet but are moving onto another level. I guess the major influences will be the pressure on subsidies, because of the world food and fuels crises, which we can either benefit or suffer from ..... lets see.

One small step...

for the CCPR one giant step for the campaign. Jerry Swift of the BKFA raised the campaign and our objectives at his meeting with the CCPR, and they are optimistic that they may be able to facilitate a meeting with DEFRA, so we inch another step closer, only with more weight and support. The notes will be posted on their website, here. Its all positive stuff. On a personal note I would like to extend my gratitude to Jerry for his creative and productive approach to supporting the campaign and I am looking forward to converting that positivity into results. The petition numbers continue to grow at a steady pace with numbers standing this morning at 1354. Only 18 more days to go so get all those who haven't sign to sign up. A huge thank you to Natalie Reeve has added her support by donating a whole page on her site. No reply from as yet from DEFRA, following my repeated request for a meeting, but you've got to keep plugging away. Keep the Faith!!

Our ducks in a row.....

I finally got a response to the letter I sent on 31st October, and from seemingly the most elusive person in the Civil Service, the Head of Single Payment Scheme Policy Team. Maybe the follow up from Peter Ainsworth MP's office triggered it? Who cares we have movement again. I have been asking for this person’s name right from the beginning. I wonder how many civil service hours and budget could have been saved if he wasn’t such a closely guarded secret? But I digress, we should definitely be pleased with this break through though, we now have a expressly stated rational from the person who decides policy. At last we have some ducks in a row!!

In the letter; Defra basically clarifies their position and fleshes out the principles why they have adopted their current position. Basically when making their decision they first have to pass the rules of “Land Eligibility” which governs the classification that an activity is allocated. The guides “…are based around the extent to which non-agricultural use impedes or is inconsistent with normal farming activities.” Which is why, he explains, without any research or consultation why the RPA have grouped the sport in Group B. This of course is NOT new to us, and not what we are asking. He goes on to state that this is analogous to other categories in that category as because the land will be “….unavailable to some extent for agricultural use whilst the activity (and preparation of the land where that occurs) is taking place. Which of course also is not the case. He goes on to state that he believes that this is “a balanced outcome”. He accepts that the letter from Marian Fischer-Boel is correct about the GAEC element but that does not overrule the for the test of land eligibility which we know is incorrect. I have put a link to a scanned copy of the full document at the base of the blog section so you can read it for yourselves. Please feel free to make comments on this post or ask questions. I have added a link to the letter at the bottom of the posts, and also added a poll to see if you are interested in seeing all the other letters from this process.

This letter though on the face of it, is a little patronising and just restates a position that is known and well understood. But when you read between the lines it does form the basis for a reasoned and ongoing discussion. It does not say that they are inflexible or intractable on this decision. So I am hoping that with the BKFA and their approach from the CCPR, the campaign’s ongoing mail requests for a due diligence process to enable us to enlighten their understanding, supported by the current petition and the next one I will establish and all of your amazing support, we will turn the tide of understanding in our favour. We should pat ourselves on the back, we have achieved a solid result and have a position from which we can move forward, and we are now talking to the right person!! Obviously I will be writing to their head of policy to start the education process.

Whilst on the subject of the petition when I checked this morning we had broken into the top 100 most signed petitions, which again is a real bonus. We could really jump up the list if the 20 of the 32 people who signed up at Atmosphere08 and would validate their signups. If you did sign up at the event and haven’t received and email from 10 Downing Street then please sign up yourself, by following the link on this page or drop me an email at freethefields@googlemail.com and I’ll add it again.
Keep the Faith

Atmosphere08

A major hollar of thanks to Al and his team for laying on an incredible event, well organised fun, no hassle and they even managed to book the right Weather and tides for maximum enjoyment!! I have stuck a small youtube vid of the freeflyzone at the bottom of the blog. As far as my small contribution was concerned I have to say it was a humbling experience. I went along hoping to come away with 1 signature and a sore patch on my backside from all the scratching. Instead I was overwhelmed by the comments of support, the amount of slips completed (34) and general proactive attitude of everyone I spoke to. So a huge thanks to all of you who took time away from beer and kites to chat and sign up. E.S from Bishops Stortford you forgot to put your email address down so please can you go online and sign the petition. There has also been an increase in the rate of signing today, so I am hoping that the combined effort should take us into the dizzy heights of the top 100 most signed petitions, which will be a huge show of support and significance. I thought it might be interesting for you to see how far the canoeists got with their effort and the response that they got. I hope that we get an equally proactive response. (http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/page14435.asp ). Anyway Keep the Faith and keep signing we've only a little over a month to go now.

News just in: Email from Peter Ainsworth MP's office apologising for the lack of response from Hilary Benn MP's they have followed up and are hoping for a response.

A busy Week

Well it's been a busy week for the campaign, and I've recveived some great offers of help. Also I've been chatting with Jerry from the BKFA about the campaign and the CCPR so I'm looking forward to see how that pans out. Whilst the brain is focussed I've been digging around to see if we are any closer to the simplification of the SPS that Tony Cooper at the RPA said was imminent. The process is definately under way but there isn't any sign that it will have much of an impact on us. But I'm still reading, and there is a lot to read!! I have also written to Tony Cooper again to see if that yields any results. If you want to do your own reading I've added blog feeds for the "Cap Health Check" (a UK pressure group) and "Mariann Fisher-Boel" (European Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development) to this page. It is Mariann who wrote to us telling us that there is nothing in the current framework that prevents the sport being carried out, and who is managing the simplification process. Any news about proposed changes will be posted on these blogs. Still looking forward to meeting some of you next weekend. Keep the faith!!

Learn a new thing everyday.......

I never thought when I started this campaign that I'd end up having to learn about html, widgets, flares, tags, feeds etc or that it would appeal to the Geek in me. But it has and now hopefully it will work in every ones favour. If you put your email address in the box these posts will arrive in your inbox, if you prefer to use a feed reader or a social bookmarking site click mark us up from one of the links above. If you use a site not up there let me know and I'll add a button. As far as the campaign is going the signing rate has picked up on the petition and I've had an amazing offer of help from one of you, who will remain nameless unless they let me make it public. Which has put some more wind in my sails. That's all I wanted to say, that now it's easier to get news about progress, also for those of you who do receive the news you can forward them on to your mates. I've also added a diagram of who we've been talking to and what looks like the best channels for progress. Keep the Faith and Keep Signing. Thanks to all

Getting out there....

Well the saps rising and that's not all!! People are beginning to wake up and dust off their kites. What a great time to try another tack and bring the campaign out into the public. I got a great call from Al at Atmosphere kites who, (along with the crew at SWATK have been a huge support), offered me a soapbox stand at their event Atmosphere 08. What an amazing opportunity to get direct feedback on the campaign, rustle up a few more signatures ('cos we really need them!), answer any questions and spread the word, as well has having a blast!! I look forward to meeting you there.

As far as the campaign is going, I've updates the site, I hope you like it. No news from the parliamentary approach. The NFU legal chap is going to have a look at it in a couple of weeks when his schedule clears. The countryside Alliance are desperately trying to find an MP even remotely interested in sporting land access issues. I have written to Nature England, a branch of DEFRA who are responsible for Access and recreational access issues. So lets see how that goes, hopefully I'll have some positive news to announce at Westward Ho!

Branching out for Support

It's been a while since I last posted so I thought I'd better let you know what's been going on. The petition stands at 1168 signatures, so a little way off. I am wondering if that is down to a general lack of faith in the system. I can understand this but it would be great if we could set that aside and shout about what we want rather than being brow beaten or swept aside without being heard. Thanks as always to those who have stood up and made their mark, so far.

On a more positive note, thanks very much to Jerry Swift and the Committee of the British Kite Flying Association who have voted to support our campaign. This is even more good news as they are now members of the CCPR (Central Council of Recreative Physical Training) who are an influential lobbying organisation for change in sport. I approached the CCPR some time ago, and they were incredibly helpful. Fingers crossed that they (the CCPR) will take up the causes promoted by their fee paying members.

In the need to get some more formal weight behind the campaign I have also approached the National Farmers Union and the Countryside Alliance. I have yet to have any feedback from the Alliance (mainly due to the head of policy being on holiday), so I look forward to a positive response from them. The NFU have been very helpful and pointed the campaign towards their legal bods for review, I'll let you know what their thoughts are as and when I hear.

The wheels of government and bureaucracy turn rather more frustratingly slowly; Mr Peter Ainsworth MP has as yet not written to me about a response from Mr Hilary Benn MP's office. So I have sent a memory jogger. My thoughts here are that the powers that be have lost site of one of the oldest principles in the book...."Look after the Pennies and the Pounds will Look after themselves."

Well that's it from me for the next month or so, the wind and the weather are on the up, progress is being ground out so keep talking and signing......Thanks to all.