That's definitely confirmed when you read today's findo and see that 40% of the budget for discussion groups went to the planners. One planner got over €1 million.
I didnt see the article but ,
When the Dairy discussion groups were being started 5 plus years ago , the private planner whom I have been dealing with for my area aid , reps , Glas , BPS since 1997 , contacted me and asked me to attend a meeting about 5 miles away , as they thought the could gather up the makings of 2 groups one at our end of the county , and another at the other end .
Anyway , on the night 15 to 20 people turned up. All talk about the benefits , new ideas we'd see on other peoples farms , the payout we would receive.
I fielded the question, "How much will we have to give you " . No straight answer for a minute .
We were told we should look at the bigger picture , the benefits in efficiency etc
It would have cost us something like €80 , out of our own pocket , despite it being hailed as a financial aid to farmers.
The take up by most attendees was far from what they hoped. They might have got 3 or 4 to sign up.
We get the crumbs from the table.