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Cumbrian sheep farmer and author James Rebanks has turned down the invitation from Defra to apply for a non-executive director role at the Government department. 

By James Rebanks

"[I am] grateful to be asked, and that anyone there thinks I might be as asset. But as I said in my reply, I can't be complicit in the breaking of promises to farmers that I strong believe ought to be kept.

Defra

"As I tweeted last week, there is a shifting away from big commitments that I find deeply problematic. The level of budget declining. The chance of transition for most farms vanishing. The shift from public commitments to dodgy corporate money when we need more done and quick.

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"With those trends continuing and no commitment to do better, I can't sit round a table and act like it's OK. I'll happily help for free to make things work better, but I'm not prepared to be window dressing for decline and failure.

'Drifting away from us'

"And for the first time in my life I nearly said yes. I think we are within touching distance of a much better system and much better landscapes - but it's drifting away from us by the week.

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"But a board member is partly responsible for what's done. So you have to believe you'd get a decent hearing and a chance of impact. Otherwise I may as well stay independent and be a mostly constructive critic."