Saturday 26 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (0) (0)
13/10/2011 10:40:19
CAP proposals are step 'backwards' - MEP
The proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy - unveiled by the EU Commission this morning - lacks vision, Scottish Conservative Euro MP Struan Stevenson said in Brussels today.
The reform proposal includes four separate regulations and covers all aspects of agriculture. It will form the basis of the CAP post-2013.
The key aspect is the proposal to withhold 30% of the single farm payment which will only be given to farmers who comply with greening measures, that will include farmers having to leave 7% of their land fallow.
Payments to large farms will be capped and the criteria to qualify for as a Less Favoured Area (LFA) will be reclassified.
Struan Stevenson said:
"This is not a reform of the CAP but a regression. Previous reforms have focused on making agriculture more market orientated. This reform takes a step backwards.
"Farmers just want to do what they do best: produce food. These proposals put yet more obstacles in their way.
"The greening measures will put an excessive burden on farmers and will make it harder for them to produce food. Direct payments are already subject to strict cross compliance rules and the existing agri-environment schemes in the second pillar are effective and should be further developed.
He continued:
"At a time of rising food prices and fears regarding food security it is incredible that the EU wants to pay farmers to keep land fallow. I thought we had seen the end of this ridiculous idea.
"This is a huge reform, but proposals regarding capping payments for large farms and reclassification of less favoured areas (LFAs) are also unwelcome and will do nothing to reduce bureaucracy and help farmers to meet the goal of feeding a growing population.
"The CAP needs to find a balance whereby it can assist farmers to provide good food at affordable prices whilst also delivering environmental benefits. These proposals get the balance completely wrong.
"Ultimately, all this proposal will achieve is a greater reliance on imports of food of a lower quality from outside the EU."
The reform proposal includes four separate regulations and covers all aspects of agriculture. It will form the basis of the CAP post-2013.
The key aspect is the proposal to withhold 30% of the single farm payment which will only be given to farmers who comply with greening measures, that will include farmers having to leave 7% of their land fallow.
Payments to large farms will be capped and the criteria to qualify for as a Less Favoured Area (LFA) will be reclassified.
Struan Stevenson said:
"This is not a reform of the CAP but a regression. Previous reforms have focused on making agriculture more market orientated. This reform takes a step backwards.
"Farmers just want to do what they do best: produce food. These proposals put yet more obstacles in their way.
"The greening measures will put an excessive burden on farmers and will make it harder for them to produce food. Direct payments are already subject to strict cross compliance rules and the existing agri-environment schemes in the second pillar are effective and should be further developed.
He continued:
"At a time of rising food prices and fears regarding food security it is incredible that the EU wants to pay farmers to keep land fallow. I thought we had seen the end of this ridiculous idea.
"This is a huge reform, but proposals regarding capping payments for large farms and reclassification of less favoured areas (LFAs) are also unwelcome and will do nothing to reduce bureaucracy and help farmers to meet the goal of feeding a growing population.
"The CAP needs to find a balance whereby it can assist farmers to provide good food at affordable prices whilst also delivering environmental benefits. These proposals get the balance completely wrong.
"Ultimately, all this proposal will achieve is a greater reliance on imports of food of a lower quality from outside the EU."
|
Farming items for Sale
|
McCormick C-Max 90 - Spalding(GBP 24500)
Case CS 94 - Maybole(GBP 11640)
Same Iron 150 Hi-Line, 50 kph - Ballyclare(GBP 37200)
New Holland TS 100 - Huntingdon
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
Claas 820CIS - Thame
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
Related News
Backwards step on religious slaughter labelling - 25 Feb 2011The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has expressed its significant disappointment with the EU Council decision to scrap plans for compulsory label...
MEP farmer hits out at ineffectual Paice proposals for egg screening - 06 Dec 2011East of England MEP, Stuart Agnew (UKIP) has accused Agriculture Minister Jim Paice of ’fiddling while Rome burns’ in a response to the Go...
FUW discuss CAP concerns with MEP's in Brussels - 26 Jan 2012The Farmhouse Breakfast Week function held at the European Parliament by the Farmers’ Union of Wales gave union officials and staff the opportunity ...
Cap health check: Small steps in the right direction - 20 May 2008The CAP 'Health Check', published today is generally good news for the agricultural sector, according to Liberal Democrat European Agriculture...
Proposals for implementing UK cap and trade scheme launched - 26 Jun 2007Detailed proposals for the implementation of the UK's pioneering emissions trading scheme for large organisations in business and the public secto...
CAP health check proposals could lead to EU trade distortions, says the CLA - 21 May 2008Proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could create unfair distortions in trade within the European Union, says the CLA. The rur...
Consultation on CAP Health Check proposals - 10 Jun 2008The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a twelve-week consultation on the European Commission's proposals for ...
NFU raises issues on CAP proposals in Westminster - 12 Jan 2011Progressive reform of the CAP could bring real benefits to British farmers, the NFU has argued in Westminster. President Peter Kendall was invited ...
NFU Cymru welcomes CAP reform proposals - 18 Jan 2011Rural Affairs Minister’s initial Views on the European Commission proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have been welcome...
Leaked proposals for the reform of CAP entitlements – leave a narrow window for restructuring farm businesses - 16 Aug 2011News has recently been leaked from the European Commission that farmers who claim more than €150,000 from the direct support element of the CAP (Pilla...
