NFU raises issues on CAP proposals in Westminster

Progressive reform of the CAP could bring real benefits to British farmers, the NFU has argued in Westminster.

President Peter Kendall was invited to give evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee meeting on how European Commission CAP reform proposals could impact on agriculture in this country.

Following yesterdays meeting, Mr Kendall said: While it is very early days and clarification is needed on the Commissions initial proposals, we think it is positive that the EFRA committee has decided to look into this issue which is of considerable importance to UK farmers.

The communication that was released by the Commission last November correctly identifies the major challenges facing European agriculture, especially food security, climate change and the need for Europe to play its part in the global challenges ahead. But we believe the proposals it sets out are not the right strategic approach for European farming.

The Commission has some good intentions and places farming at the heart of its policy. But we do see the risks of a policy that would be less simple, less market-orientated and one which would hinder our competitiveness. It is important for us all to work with the EU Commission as well as our government to demonstrate where we think it is along the right lines and where it is wrong.

In our evidence we argued in favour of measures that could help achieve our ultimate goal, which is a sector that, given the right conditions, can depend less on public support. To achieve this we need to help farmers become more competitive but we also need to reinforce the position of farmers in the supply chain and to help them deal with volatility.

We also argued that the policy should support the delivery of environmental goods, especially bringing about win, win, wins that support environmental improvements, productivity gains and economic improvements. Both simple and smart techniques from nutrient planning to precision farming can help here.

The committee can make an important contribution to reform, both looking at the Commissions proposals through a UK lens but also scrutinising the approach of the UK government.

At last weeks Oxford Farming Conference, Caroline Spelman spoke of the need to forge alliances with other member states. This is absolutely critical. To do this, the government must be mindful of the language it uses and seek to operate in the centre ground of debate on reform, not on the fringes.

Too often in the past, government policy has been driven by ideological zeal rather than pragmatism. I hope the Committee will urge the current government not to fall into this trap.

The CAP is due to be reformed by December 2013 and the European Commission will issue draft legislative proposals later this year.

The NFU is the voice of British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.