A Welsh Lib Dem view on CAP reform
Commenting on the debate on Common Agriculture Policy, Roger Williams MP said: “The reform of the policy has ensured that less of the European budget is being spent on agriculture and the policy has less detrimental effects on third world countries. However, the purpose of the CAP, to close the gap between incomes in rural […]
Reduction in ELS payments under the new Basic Payment Scheme
If you have a current Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) Agreement that started before 1 January 2012, you will not incur any deduction from your ELS payment. Sam Catling of Rostons Land & property Specialist comments “However, if you Agreement started after the 1 January 2012 and contains certain options that would qualify for ecological […]
FUW leader fears huge increase in CAP red tape
The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will drastically increase red tape, Farmers’ Union of Wales president Emyr Jones predicted today. Addressing the union’s annual general meeting at Aberystwyth, Mr Jones said: “A decade ago we were told that the abolition of headage payments would reduce red tape for farmers and I was looking forward to […]
CLA concerns around EFAs acknowledged by Defra
The CLA has said that Government proposals for Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) as required under the greening criteria of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will avoid complex bureaucracy while recognising the environmental work farmers are already undertaking. The Association responded positively to the announcement by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural […]
CAP decision is sensible compromise for farming and environment
Farmers have today learned that planting nitrogen fixing crops such as peas and beans will count towards their greening measures under the new Common Agriculture Policy rules, something long-argued for by the NFU. Defra has released further details on how CAP will be implemented from 2015, including an announcement that limited landscape features will count […]
Poor deal for English farming
At a time when Government budgets are under increasing stress and scrutiny and the environment and wildlife are facing tremendous pressures, the RSPB is highlighting the ‘poor’ deal announced by Defra today (Tuesday 10 June, 2014), which shows that of the £11bn to be spent on direct subsidies to farmers in England, very little will […]
Welsh CAP decisions must level the UK playing field
Welsh sheep farmers are at risk of being seriously disadvantaged if the Welsh Government does not look at directing funds to upland areas via an Area of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme and the targeting of Rural Development Programme (RDP) funds, says the National Sheep Association (NSA) Cymru/Wales Region. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is designed to […]
European vote paves the way for Government decisions on CAP
A positive vote by MEPs means the Government is a step closer in making key decisions on implementing the next CAP reform in England and Wales, the NFU said today. The European Parliament Agriculture Committee last night approved the draft secondary legislation that underpins the implementation of the future CAP. NFU President Meurig Raymond said: […]
New environmental scheme for farmers to prioritise biodiversity
Farming Minister George Eustice announced today that the new environmental land management scheme will provide funding for farmers and land managers who deliver benefits for wildlife, improve water quality and create woodland. Mr Eustice said: “We have a great track record in countryside stewardship schemes and we want to build on what has been started. […]
