Lochhead reacts to EC Proposals which recommend ’evolution not revolution’
Richard Lochhead has welcomed The European Commission’s proposals on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which were published today.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment said that actions taken already – in particular Brian Pack’s recent Inquiry Report – meant that Scotland is well placed to be at the forefront of CAP reform plans over the next few crucial years.
Key proposals from the EC, which are in line with many of Pack’s recommendations, include a continuing need for direct payments to farmers but with a focus on delivering public goods like biodiversity and climate change mitigation, and the use of coupled payments to producers in regions where particular types of farming are important for economic and social reasons.
Richard Lochhead said: "Many of the general ideas in this paper resonate with those contained in the Final Report from Brian Pack’s inquiry "The Road Ahead for Scotland" which was published earlier this month. This means that Scotland is very well-placed for the discussions ahead on the future of CAP.
"Agriculture has a fundamental role to play in Scotland’s future and we have already thought about what we need to do to ensure we have a sustainable, efficient and market-oriented agriculture sector. We are working with farmers to reduce the impact that their activities have on climate change and in doing so increase their profits.
"Its good news that Europe recognises that many producers will continue to need direct payments. We know that they have to evolve and that society wants to see more for their money, increased biodiversity, reduced impact on climate change, less pollution, good animal health and welfare.
"Brian Pack’s report highlighted the difficulties that a flat rate would have if applied in Scotland so we welcome the Commission’s recognition that a flat rate is not feasible.
"The Commission has also placed a greater emphasis on active farming – this is absolutely crucial for Scotland. It’s extremely difficult to tackle this under the current legislation and the Commission is obviously thinking about how this might be addressed in the future.
"The Communication sets out three policy options and the favoured one appears to be evolution not revolution. We certainly agree with that – updating and improving the CAP where it is needed."