The Wiltshire Gazette & Herald reports today that narrowboat owners plan a blockade of the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes Wharf and Pewsey Wharf to protest against government cuts to canal maintenance.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has told British Waterways it is thinking about cutting £9 million from its grant in order to help them pay a huge fine Defra has been hit with by the European Commission for managing farming subsidies badly.
Yet this is money contributed by Britain to the EU budget in the first place, which the EU merely labels ‘subsidies’ and requires is given to farmers.
Effectively the EU is demanding a massive fine, which is causing cuts such as this elsewhere, simply because we have not managed our own money for farmers as well as we should have. Great work, if you can get it!
The canal blockage follows a similar action back in November. This time there are expected to be up to 50 boats present and a carnival atmosphere.
Adrian Softley of the Devizes Boat Club said: "If the canal deteriorates because the maintenance budgets have been cut back it will affect everyone, dog walkers, anglers and canoeists, not just ourselves."
Brian Poulton, chairman of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust said that DEFRA was planning a similar reduction of its support to British Waterways in the next financial year.
He said: "To make matters worse, the fine imposed on DEFRA by the EU has reportedly risen from £131 million to £350 million."
A group has been set up to oppose the canal maintenance cuts – Save Our Waterways.
Monday 26 February 2007
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