The issue here - and in many places - is explained if you think from the public servant's perspective.
If you as a public servant don't screw up, you can plan for retirement (or at worst a big payout). If you do your job 200% better than the guy next to you, you get no reward. There is no incentive to increase productivity.
If a public servant can see the
slightest bit of risk in being sued if an aircraft comes a cropper on a grass strip, then he'll try and stop it. What's in it for him to let it happen? 10,000 happy grass takeoff/landings a year won't see him retire ritcher. The threat of legal action from the one cockup might see him passed over for the next level up promotion or axed and retire a lot poorer.
It's the system we have. Those working in the government have no incentive to let these things happen, and indeed have an incentive to NOT let them happen.
Governments fly from risk in anyway they can. There's no reward in it for them.