'Don't be selfish' (From Gazette & Herald)

'Don't be selfish'

THE Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has attacked organisations seeking to link new CAP payments to land ownership.

Under the reforms to the common agriculture police (CAP) agreed on June 26 last year, it has been decided to replace most of the existing support systems with a single farm payment entitlement. This is to be allocated at the discretion of the Government by using a system based on historic claims, land ownership in 2005 or a hybrid of the two.

TFA national chairman Reg Haydon said: "the reforms agreed in June of last year represent a major step change in agricultural policy which we support. However, this will not be the last reform of the CAP and we fully expect further reforms to push the industry more towards the open market, with support being available for the production of environmental and rural development outputs.

"In order to be ready for those challenges, the industry must be allowed a period of transition. Businesses which have relied upon subsidy need to reorient themselves to be more market facing and this will take time.

"Those organisations seeking implementation on the land-based systems offered by the hybrid and regional average payment options do so either to unnecessarily inflate land values through state support, or to be paid compensation for something they have never had in the past. These attitudes are selfish, misguided and damaging to the industry."

Mr Haydon added: "The reforms of June last year are about allowing the agricultural industry to face up to what for many will be harsh reality.

"The reforms offer the ability to have a smooth transition, but this can only be achieved if the Government chooses the historic route for implementing the single farm payment scheme which has the clear support of the majority of farming organisations and their members.

"The Government must not allow its policy decisions to be swayed by those who have purely selfish ambitions at heart."

Updated: 11:06 Wednesday, January 14, 2004