The CLA today said its lobbying work in Brussels to maintain the budget for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has paid off as the European Commission announced its proposals to preserve in cash terms the EU budget for farmers and land managers.
The Association said although the Commission’s proposal would represent a modest reduction in real terms over the seven-year period of the next CAP budget, it is as good an outcome as could have been expected and showed the impact of the CLA being one of the few organisations to fight for a sufficiently funded CAP.
CLA President William Worsley said: ’The Agriculture Commissioner has listened to the CLA’s arguments, made through the European Landowners’ Organisation that the EU budget for the CAP must be maintained on the grounds of Food and Environmental Security and has done well in securing this proposal.
’The budget has been drawn up so that funds available for the CAP are fixed in cash or nominal terms. There was a strong attempt to disproportionately cut the payments for the second Pillar of the CAP which supports competitiveness, environmental payments, farming in marginal areas and rural infrastructure. However, we are very relieved that these attempts were seen off and both Pillars of the CAP have been treated in the same way.’
Mr Worsley added: ’The UK has gone further than most member states to develop schemes rewarding farmers for providing environmental services but we get a poor share of the funds in the CAP’s second Pillar. It is vital in the negotiations that follow these proposals that there is a more objectively based share-out of these resources.
’However, the fight on the CAP budget is not over yet. These proposals have now to be agreed with the European Council and the European Parliament.’
