NFU President Peter Kendall will today seek Liberal Democrat support in arguing for a CAP that will help, rather than hinder European farmers in meeting the challenges they face.
Speaking at the joint NFU and FDF fringe event at the Liberal Democrat party conference in Birmingham tonight, Mr Kendall will highlight the important role that European agriculture has to play in ensuring the world secures its future food supply.
’European agriculture can and must contribute to world food security and lead the way on sustainable production,’ said Mr Kendall.
’By that, I mean recognising that a range of management systems and techniques from low input to high output, making use of the best in new technology, are what we need to produce more, while making fewer demands on increasingly scarce resources.
’We need a CAP which is more common, more agricultural and simpler. I look forward to making common cause with Liberal Democrats ’ not least through the influence which the European Parliament will have on the final outcome ’ in arguing for a CAP which helps, rather than hinders, European farmers in meeting the challenges ahead.’
Mr Kendall will also appeal for Liberal Democrat support to speed up the introduction of the Groceries Code Adjudicator to prevent the abuse of bargaining power by some major retailers.
’Lib Dem influence could be crucial to support the Grocery Code Adjudicator, for which ’ with tremendous support from Andrew George MP - we have fought so long and hard. Having come so far, we really must now close the deal.
’That means finding Parliamentary time for a Bill this autumn, and making sure that the Adjudicator is a watchdog with teeth, by giving him the power to levy the sort of fines which will deter bad behaviour in the first place, and to accept third party referrals, to take fear of reprisals out of the equation.’