EU farming policy is 'too complex', Lochhead says

Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead is calling on the European Union to transform and simplify its farming policy.

Speaking ahead of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels, he claims the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is currently too complex and is causing problems for farmers and crofters.

The call from the Scottish Government reflects the concerns of other member states across Europe.

Reform is needed

With just a month to go for farmers and crofters to complete their Single Application Form (SAF), Mr Lochhead says the complexity of the new policies has made this task harder than it needs to be.

Across Europe, 15 states have had to extend the application deadline to ensure farmers submit their applications on time.

Mr Lochhead is calling for urgent reform from within Europe. He wants the EU to be more ambitious in its plans to ensure CAP is simpler and more streamlined.

Along with a call for food production to be at the core of any new policy, Mr Lochhead also wants:

• Further flexibility around greening – currently farmers must ensure 5% of their land is set aside as an Ecological Focus Area, instead of being used for farming

• More proportionate penalties and reductions – these were recently relaxed as many farmers struggled with the new policy

• Simpler rural development programme approval – this currently covers a number of schemes

Change in focus

Mr Lochhead, who is urging the UK government to work with the European Commission to deliver the changes, is also calling for a change of focus.

He says the money used to administer the complex new CAP could be better spent on new entrants to the industry and the recommendations in Brian Pack’s review to reduce farming red tape.

Mary Munro, who heads up Strutt & Parker’s Farming Consultancy in Scotland says, “I imagine every farmer in Europe would wish for a less complex subsidy system. The main aim must be to ensure that support reaches the intended recipients and that the system is fair across the EU.”

Mr Lochhead said: “Scottish farmers and crofters have just over one month left to fill in their Single Application Form (SAF) but we already know this task has been made more difficult by the complexity of the new policy. We also know that this has been an issue in member states across Europe – with 15 others joining us in extending the deadline to give farmers more time.

“Reform is clearly and urgently needed – and this must take place from within Europe. The EU must be ambitious and ensure the CAP is simpler and more streamlined with food production at its core.

“I am keen to see swift changes that make the system less complex – for example flexibility around greening, more proportionate penalties and reductions and a more simple process for approving rural development programmes – and I urge the UK Government to work with the European Commission to deliver this.

“I have long argued that the money needed to administer the complex new CAP could be better spent on more worthwhile priorities, like new entrants. As well as fighting for the interests of Scottish farmers and crofters in Europe, we are also taking forward the recommendations in Brian Pack’s review to make sure we cut farming red tape where it exists in Scotland.

“I will continue to do all I can at home and in Europe to deliver the best deal for Scottish farmers and crofters to deliver a sustainable farming industry that plays a key role in strengthening our economy.”