NFU Cymru recently met with UKIP MEP John Bufton to discuss a number of issues, including CAP reform, bovine and sheep EID.
Commenting after the meeting, NFU Cymru President Ed Bailey said, “CAP negotiations will shortly resume in earnest, and there will be an awful lot at stake for Welsh farmers. It is crucial that the best possible outcome is secured in order to safeguard the future of the industry in Wales, including a long transition period as we move away from the historic to an area based payment system, ensuring that the lines between the two pillars of the CAP do not become blurred and, of course, ensuring that the ‘greening’ measures are not allowed to compromise productive agriculture.
“Almost seven and a half thousand amendments have been tabled by MEPs to the original proposals, covering every aspect of the reform proposals which came out last October, and it is thanks to the hard work of the Union’s office in Brussels and the support of our MEPs, all of the key amendments that we wanted to see tabled have been included.”
Also on the agenda were proposals for compulsory bovine EID, which Mr Bufton had just recently spoken out against in the European Parliament. Mr Bailey said, “I am very grateful to John for speaking out against compulsory bovine EID. We know only too well the problems that compulsory sheep EID has given rise to in that sector and I would not want to see them repeated in the cattle sector.
Turning to sheep EID, Mr Bailey said, “After strenuous lobbying from NFU Cymru, MEPs have tabled amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy which would introduce an element of tolerance to the EID rules, acknowledging that 100 per cent accuracy in sheep EID is often not possible. We will look to work with John and his fellow MEPs to ensure that these amendments get the full backing of the European Parliament when it comes to a vote.
Mr Bailey concluded, “I am grateful to John Bufton for coming out to meet with us today. It has been a useful and productive meeting and we have covered a number of areas. I very much hope that John will be able to take some of the messages that have emerged from today’s meeting, with him to Brussels.”
