Common Agricultural Policy joint statement agreed by NFU, CLA, TFA and Defra
There are choices in how we do this, in particular regarding implementation of the new Direct Payments Scheme, how “greening” will be delivered; what the Rural Development Programme should include to achieve its aims; what that will cost and how that cost is funded. We want to implement in ways that enhance farmers’ competitiveness, the […]
The PM should be consistent with tax payer funded benefits cap
Mr George urged the PM to cap payments to wealthy landowners. Mr George asked the Prime Minister: “Of course, any Government should seek to introduce a reasonable cap on very high claims for tax payer funded benefits. But if ‘we’re all in it together’, why is the Government resisting the introduction of a cap on […]
Farmers and growers urged to shape NFU CAP talks
Attention now turns to how Defra will implement the new policy and these meetings will help NFU Senior CAP Adviser Gail Soutar, senior NFU officials and officeholders as they continue to negotiate final terms. Ms Soutar said: “After 21 months of negotiating, the European decision makers have just about come to a final agreement on […]
UK Government ‘support’ for agriculture is empty rhetoric
The UK government’s decision to hand over more CAP Pillar 2 funds than any other EU member state showed its professed support for rural development is empty rhetoric and that the UK had effectively negotiated against the interests of its own agricultural industry, Farmers’ Union of Wales policy director Nick Fenwick told the Westminster Food […]
Williams continues to question Ministers over support for upland hill farmers
Yesterday, during Defra Questions in the House of Commons, Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams raised his concerns regarding the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and its potential impact on upland hill farmers. Roger, who is Chair of the Liberal Democrat Environment, Food and Rural Affairs backbench committee, asked the Secretary of State: “Upland […]
RSPB and Farmers call on UK governments to save farmland wildlife, following ‘disastrous’ deal from Europe
Many of our most iconic species of wildlife including the skylark, brown hare and the brown hairstreak butterfly rely on farmland to survive. However, this latest deal means much of the CAP’s annual 50 billion Euro budget will fail to support wildlife and the environment, pushing more species across Europe to the brink. The State […]
Paterson needs to reconsider CAP modulation issue
CLA President Harry Cotterell welcomed the agreement between the European Agriculture Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, saying the time was right for Mr Paterson to reconsider his approach to the implementation of so-called voluntary modulation from Pillar One (direct payment to farmers and land managers) to Pillar Two (rural development schemes). Mr […]
UK votes on Common Agricultural Policy reform
With a final deal yet to be struck, the UK has supported a mandate for the Irish Presidency to take the revised CAP proposals to Brussels to be passed by the full European Parliament. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: Negotiations between 27 agriculture ministers, the EU commission and the European parliament were never going to […]
NFU President at heart of CAP battle
He will join the Presidents of the other UK and European farm organisations as expectations mount that CAP reform negotiations will enter their final, critical stages. Mr Kendall said: “I am going to make sure that the MEPs and farm ministers, including the UK’s Owen Paterson, hear the concerns of our members loud and clear […]
