Cap health check: Small steps in the right direction

The CAP 'Health Check', published today is generally good news for the agricultural sector, according to Liberal Democrat European Agriculture Spokesperson (England and Wales) Liz Lynne.

The Health Check, the European Commission's progress report on the Common Agricultural Policy, which builds on the 2003 reforms, includes moves to simplify the Single Payment Scheme, the easing of dairy quotas and moves to abolish set-aside.

Speaking today, Liz Lynne MEP said:

"The Health Check is on the whole reassuring news that the Common Agricultural Policy can move with the times without knee-jerk reactions which could cause hardship for Europe's agricultural sector.

"I am pleased that compulsory set-aside is currently suspended and that the European Commission now propose to abolish it altogether. It has become obsolete in this era of rising food prices and the end of the food surpluses of several years ago. Similarly, the gradual phasing out of milk quotas in order to increase production steadily, without upsetting the market, is a pragmatic solution to change.

"I also welcome simplifications to the Single Farm payments system and the plans to allow different Member States to adjust to these in their own time, which take into account the different systems in place at the moment."

On the unexpected environmental benefits of set-aside and how not to lose these, Liz added:

"The environmental benefits of set-aide can be maintained through initiatives such as the Environmental Stewardship Scheme in the UK but it needs to be properly funded if landowners are to put their own time and resources into caring for their land in this way."

The CAP Health Check will now have to be voted on by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers (the national Agriculture ministers of the Member States) to come into force.