RPA DATA LOSS CAUSE FOR CONCERN - WILLIAMS

9.30.54am GMT Mon 2nd Nov 2009

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and Liberal Democrat Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson, has today criticised the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, for the loss of farmers' bank details by the Rural Payments Agency.

Mr Williams said:

"This latest loss of records is just another in a long line of incompetent data management by the current Government. That being said, it does not make it any less damaging for farmers and farm businesses."

"The loss of data in itself is extremely worrying, but the suggestion that senior civil servants did not inform those farmers affected by this is staggering.

"DEFRA claim that the missing tapes have been placed 'on the wrong shelf'. This is a major cause for concern as it appears the Department still do not know where the missing tapes are.

"I have long had concerns about the workings of the Rural Payments Agency and this latest episode will do nothing to reassure farmers about the ability of the Agency to deliver effectively for the agriculture sector."

NOTES:

Further details of the data leak can be found here: http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/29/118497/EXCLUSIVE-RPA-loses-farmers39-bank-details.htm