CLA welcomes Paices pledge to protect farmers in environmental schemes from CAP threats

The CLA today (13 December) welcomed the pledge by Farming Minister Jim Paice that he will try to ensure farmers are not disadvantaged by participating in an agri-environment scheme through the greening of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Mr Paice released a statement saying he would “make sure” farmers in England thinking about entering or renewing agri-environment agreements could choose to opt out without penalty if changes to their agreements were made as a result of CAP greening.

CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “We are pleased the Minister has pledged to make sure farmers will not be penalised if they have to back out of Environmental Stewardship schemes as a consequence of changes to the CAP.

“England’s agri-environment schemes are something we can be incredibly proud of, showing what farmers can do for the environment if given the right incentives. When greening proposals were first discussed, the CLA asked the Minister to ensure that those in agri-environment schemes were not penalised for doing the right thing.”

He added: “I am delighted he has taken our concerns on board and raised the importance of preventing penalties with the European Commission.”