Page 22 - link magazine

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LETTER FROM WESTMINSTER

A personal manifesto for a new agriculture
North Swindon MP Michael Wills wants to see a better future for both farmers and consumers
Smoke from the pyres of inciner- farming. The industrialisation of We must place greater impor- make the switch. It will also in-
ated cattle drifts over the British agriculture has brought the ben- tance on the role of farmers and volve educating consumers about
countryside. It epitomises the lat- efits of cheaper food to millions of farming in preserving and enhanc- the merits of organic produce so
est crisis to hit farming as foot- people. But we are now becoming ing the countryside which is pre- that, if necessary, they will be pre-
and-mouth follows BSE. Farmers aware that it has also carried costs cious to us all - wherever we live. pared to pay appropriately for it. It
in the Swindon area tell me they with it. The Common Agricultural The Government has already is likely we will need to look at the
have never experienced such Policy which has been the corner- made significant sums of money commercial infrastructure of agri-
dreadful difficulties. stone of European agricultural available to help farmers through culture, exploring the merits of
Clearly the first priority is to policy has been long overdue for this time of crisis. But there is no more localised structures so farm-
deal with the immediate problem radical reform. Support for farm- point in short-term palliatives un- ers can get their products quickly
of foot-and-mouth. But after this is ing now must be better directed less we also look at longer-term to market in the areas in which
done, government must turn its towards securing the sustainability measures of support. Some of these they farm.
mind to how to secure a more sus- of agriculture and the countryside are already being put in place - for This is a big agenda for change
tainable future for farmers and in which it takes place. example, to help diversification but one with which we must en-
from farming and to find other gage if farming is to emerge from
Michael Wills visited Headstarts productive uses for the land. its current problems into a brighter
Nursery in Westlea in March to I believe organic farming must new world.
meet Keeley Botchett, the 500th play a significant role in the future • Michael Wills can be contacted
unemployed person to be placed in of the countryside. This is not just at the Pinehurst People's Centre,
ajob under the Government's New a matter of enabling farmers to Olive Grove, Swindon. Tel: 481016.
Deal scheme.
Keeley, 20, who left Greendown
in 1997, had several hotel and re- Internet access should be available to all
tail jobs but never settled. But she's Today's society has changed dramatically with the new 'digital age,'
now 'in the job of my dreams.' and, despite dot-corn crashes, a new class system is now developing,
"I've always wanted to go into the information 'have and have-nots,' writes Catherine Briggs of the
childcare and the New Deal place- West Swindon based organisation Citizen Online.
ment has given me the chance;it think by the end of 2002 everyone
For various reasons a section of
really is fantastic." our society is missing out on this will be within easy striking dis-
Michael Wills said, "I'm de-
lighted at Keeley's success and the new era. There is a real danger tance of Internet facilities, for ex-
ample every public library will be
Keeley and Michael with Bobby Wyeth benefit New Deal had brought to that those who would benefit most fully equipped as a UK Online
from new skills and job opportu-
and Dana Lillie 499 others across Swindon."
nities, cheaper goods and services, Centre where people can learn all
health advice or simple informa- about these new technologies."
tion gathering are those least
likely to be online. The barriers
•i• to joining the information age
include cost, training, physical
•
access and a lack of trust or
confidence.
Citizens Online is a national,
Community independent, not for profit or-
ganisation, committed to ex-
ploring the Internet and the
Dividend Scheme impact it has on society. We are
bringing together the key part-
ners within government, indus-
A minimum of 1% try and the voluntary sector to
highlight this gap in provision.
of the Society's
The Government has made a
profits are very strong commitment that Launching Citizen's Online in Decem-
ber. Michael Wills MP with Catherine
returned to by 2005 everyone in the UK will Briggs, Marketing Manager, Office Ad-
projects to benefit be able to access the Internet. minis trator Mishelle Brooks, Chief Ex-
Latest statistics reveal that they
the local ecutive John Fisher, Cheryl Orton, Re-
are still some way from fulfill-
community ing this promise. For instance sources Manager
through the 48% of high income families now Citizens Online chief executive
Community have the Internet at home, whilst John Fisher appeared in the same
Members of the Cricklade & Swindon only 3% of low income households discussion and made it clear that
Railway Society receive a cheque for Dividend Scheme.
£1,000 in December. have the same access. Universal Access will only be
Swindon is fortunate that local achieved when everyone has ac-
If you think a project you know of could MP Michael Wills, who is also Min- cess from their homes. Citizens
ister for Learning and Technology Online will be working with Gov-
qualify for a grant of up to £1,000 at the Department for Education ernment to ensure that everybody
and Employment, is very support- is given the opportunity to go
call 0800 43 5902 ive of Universal Internet Access. online. An important partner in
Speaking in a discussion on BBC this is the IT industry who have to
for more information . TV Breakfast News early in Janu- recognize that in addition to their
LO going to be deprived of many op- the amazing new digital world that
Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester ary, he stated, "if people are de- commercial aspirations they have
nied access to the Internet, they are a social responsibility to support
portunities." He went on to say, "I they have created.