EU CAP reforms signal greener future for farming

Commenting on a key vote on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) by MEPs in the Agriculture Committee of European Parliament today (Wednesday 25 May 2011), Friends of the Earth welcomed progress on tackling the unsustainable livestock sector, greening the CAP, and setting limits on CAP payments for large agricultural holdings.

Friends of the Earth’s food campaigner Kirtana Chandrasekaran said:

’Today’s vote opens the door for greener farming in Europe, through practices like crop rotation which reduces the need for expensive and damaging chemicals.

’As well as reducing environmental destruction in the UK and abroad, this will increase food security and reduce price volatility in European farming.

’The European Commission must now introduce bold and effective policies that support greener farming ’ including the production of home-grown animal feed to reduce our reliance on environmentally damaging imports of soy.


’The message from Parliament is clear ’ business as usual is not an option.’