Fears for future under latest EU proposals (From Gazette & Herald)

Fears for future under latest EU proposals

4:44pm Wednesday 23rd November 2011 in Farming news

PRODUCTION on farmland in Ryedale could be hit if European Commission proposals for re-forming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) get the go-ahead.

They include a plan to dedicate 30 per cent of direct farm payments to “green” measures, but it would only be paid to farmers who leave at least seven per cent of their land fallow.

Now the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) have issued a joint statement saying the percentage should be cut.

“We will also insist that any greening measures do not have perverse consequences from a market or agronomic point of view,” it said.

The CLA and NFU said the proposals were “disappointing and a missed opportunity”.

The CAP changes should bring the whole of Europe up to the standard of the better-performing countries, the statement added.

James Nicholson, a leading Euro MP said : “Farmers just want to do what they do best – produce food.

These proposals put yet more obstacles in their way.

“At a time of rising food prices and fears regarding food security, iut is incredible that the EU wants to pay farmers to keep land fallow.”

Concerns have also been expressed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Its head of countryside conservation, Gareth Morgan, said the CAP proposals contained less support for targeted environmental measures on farms.

“Brussels' plan to cut cash for environmental farming schemes in the UK mean this work is under threat exactly at a time when we need to see this support grow.”

Other proposals in the CAP reforms include only active farmers receiving basic income support; a cap of 300,000 euros a year in payment to the largest farms, and financial help to those under 40 to start farming.