Bureaucrats who handle EU's big farm budgets to be sent out to pasture
White-collar bureaucrats handle the biggest chunk of the EU budget — farming — so to make sure they know what's needed, they will be trading in their pinstripes for overalls.
By RAF CASERT
Associated Press Writer
BRUSSELS —
White-collar bureaucrats handle the biggest chunk of the EU budget — farming — so to make sure they know what's needed, they will be trading in their pinstripes for overalls.
In other words, the European Union wants these administrators to get firsthand experience on the farms they subsidize, so they will be sent to work on one for several weeks.
Often reviled as out-of-touch bureaucrats who go straight from university to their EU offices, these staff members will be sent to get their hands dirty in a program being launched next year, EU Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said Wednesday.
"I am definitely in favor of giving possibilities to those that have never been on a farm. They simply don't know how things work," Boel said. "It is definitely not meant to be a punishment, but a possibility to see what is out there." Read More
What a concept! The idea that in order to write legislation that pertains to agriculture you should have some knowledge of the business is quite amazing. I actually need to congratulate Commissioner Boel for implementing the idea. How many times has the idea been mentioned but never taken seriously. Do you suppose Vilsack would suggest this idea for his employees, or maybe Congress?
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