NFU Cymru is pleased that the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes, Alun Davies, has made a clear, strong statement outlining the Welsh Government’s position on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform.
Ed Bailey, NFU Cymru President said, "We are pleased that this early statement from the Minister builds upon the position of the previous Welsh Government. As a farming industry we accept that the CAP must evolve as the world around us changes but the reality is that without a strong CAP supporting Welsh farmers most farms in Wales would be operating at a loss. The Minister has recognised this by highlighting the role that the CAP plays to farming and to rural communities by stating that he could never support the ending of CAP."
Moving on to how the CAP may evolve Mr Bailey said, "NFU Cymru accepts that all the signals from Europe point to a move away from the historic basis of support for the Single Farm Payment and that there will be a need to move to an area based single payment model for Wales. Given the potential redistribution effects of this change, however, we have consistently advocated and agree that there is a need for a lengthy transition period. What is also important is that the Welsh Government commit resources to modelling potential new SFP payment systems so that we can try to devise a scheme that minimises redistribution but at the same time ensures a relatively simple system for farmers and administrators alike."
"Simplification is a key priority for us in Wales, Commission proposals on ’greening of Pillar 1’ in my view fly in the face of that and fail to take account of the commitments made by farmers and Government in Wales through Pillar 2 schemes.
"We must also use this reform process to bring to an end the punitive inspection and penalty regime that sees significant financial penalties for minor breaches of process. We want a CAP that focuses on the core principles of producing more food from fewer resources whilst protecting and enhancing the environment with a simple regulatory regime to ensure that rather than the increasingly complicated and bureaucratic processes that currently prevail."
Concluding the President said, "We look forward to working with the Deputy Minister on ensuring that the reformed CAP continues to deliver for Welsh farmers and the economy of Wales in general. There is much detail to discuss and debate and a need for farmers and their representatives to be fully engaged in this process, but the direction of travel set out by the Welsh Government clearly points to a shared goal of trying to develop a CAP that delivers for Welsh farming."
