The CLA has called on the next lead Agriculture Minister for Europe to ensure that EU policies do not strangle farm businesses in the UK.
CLA Director of Policy Christopher Price met with Fernand Etgen, Luxembourg Minister for Agriculture, in Luxembourg on 17 June. Minister Etgen will become lead EU Minister for Agriculture when Luxembourg takes over the Presidency of the Council for the European Union in July 2015. The Presidency rotates between Member States every 6 months.
The CLA is the membership organisation for landowners, farmers and rural businesses in England and Wales and represents its members in the UK and in Europe. Mr Price met the Minister in Luxembourg following the European Landowners Organization’s General Assembly which took place on 16 and 17 June in Luxembourg City.
Mr Price raised core issues for UK agriculture for discussion with Minister Etgen including the simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Russian import ban on agricultural products, the food chain, organic reform, and GM crops.
Mr Price said: “The decisions made by the European Union Council have a direct and major impact on farmers in the UK – from the current plans to allow national bans on use of GM animal feed to the simplification of EU farm policy rules, following the reformed Common Agricultural Policy. The needs and priorities of Member States vary dramatically across Europe, and we must ensure that the unique needs of UK agriculture are not overlooked.”
On 16 June, CLA Vice President Tim Breitmeyer met with Camille Gira, Luxembourg Secretary of State for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure for discussion on the role of European landowners in tackling climate change and its impacts. Mr Gira acknowledged the need for governments to work with landowners if they are to achieve any environmental objectives.
