farmdoc's blog post number 133

Consultation, my dictionary tells me, means a conference (usually with someone important). In my 39 years of medical practice, I’ve participated in countless medical consultations, so I understand the aims of, and processes inherent in, that type of consultation, i.e. private consultation. It’s the obverse type of consultation I can’t fathom, i.e. public consultation. Wikipedia explains that public consultation is a regulatory process by which the public’s input on matters affecting them is sought. Its main goals are improving the efficiency, transparency and public involvement in projects/laws/policies. It usually involves notification (to publicise the matter to be consulted on), consultation (a two-way flow of information and opinion exchange) and/or participation (involving interest groups in the drafting of policy/legislation). This public consultation process is a hallmark of western democracies. It sounds fine in principle. But governments at all levels, and government bodies too, abuse it left, right and centre: When it suits their political objectives, their tricks include: consultation so late it has no chance of influencing outcomes; excluding key stakeholders; and totally ignoring public input. In other words, at this stage in the decline of civil society as we have come to know it, public consultation is nothing more than going through the motions. It either has to be reinstated as a process of mutual trust, respect and integrity; or abolished. Soon. No – soonest.