MEPs call for strong and sustainable CAP

The European Parliaments Agriculture Committee has today voted on a report which sets out its views on the CAP towards 2020. The report, which was drafted by German MEP, Albert Dess, calls for the continuation of a strong and sustainable CAP.

In line with NFU policy, it recognises that the primary strategic objective of agriculture is food security and that simplification of the Common Agriculture Policy must be a driving objective of the next reform. It also calls on the Commission to submit an impact assessment on the practicalities of a greening component and says that both voluntary and compulsory modulation should end in 2012.

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: MEPs will have a critical role to play in shaping the CAP post 2013. The result of the vote today is a ringing endorsement for a strong and sustainable policy. MEPs clearly recognise the challenges which lie ahead for Europes farmers but equally they see the opportunities which exist for farmers to contribute to Europes goals for smart, inclusive and sustainable growth.

In line with NFU policy, MEPs view the primary objective of agriculture as being food security. Also the principles of greater competiveness, fairness and simplification must underpin the CAP.

The most divisive aspect of the draft report centres on measures to further green the CAP. However Mr Raymond said MEPs had recognised the need to complement existing agri-environment schemes.

We have strongly lobbied MEPs to illustrate the good work being done on our farms and to ensure that any greening element will not jeopardise our agri-environment schemes, said Mr Raymond.

The Commission wishes to introduce a greening element so we need to see how this can be delivered through simple measures; ones that do not hamper productivity and farm competiveness. It is reassuring that MEPs agree that additional greening should be done throughpositive incentiveswhich deliver on-farm sustainability and long-term food security. Some green measures offer a win-win by increasing the efficiency of your inputs you also reduce production costs.

Frustratingly, enough MEPs felt that the Commissions intentions to introduce an upper limit on direct paymentswould be a good idea and, despite our best efforts, MEPshave called for some form of decrease of direct payments.

The draft report will now be voted on by the full Parliament in June. Between now and then, I will continue to work with MEPs through our dedicated office in Brussels to tackle the issues that matter to our members.