The NFU’s national ‘CAP tour’ will continue in the North East next week with three farmer meetings planned in Newcastle, Darlington and Wakefield on November 15 and 16.
The three briefing sessions come hard on the heels of a packed meeting with NFU President Peter Kendall two weeks ago when the EU’s package of proposals was dubbed ‘a dog’s breakfast’.
At that meeting just some of the concerns raised included ‘greening’ measures that are more about taking land out of production than protecting existing environmental achievements, a lack of vision for agriculture as more competitive, productive and efficient and grassland restrictions that could impact on future farm values.
Other issues highlighted by the NFU include the introduction of what is being dubbed ‘super cross compliance’ – with 30 per cent of farm payments being dependent on farmers carrying out additional environmental management practices; the capping of payments – a proposal that will disproportionately affect UK farmers; and plans to make payments only to ‘active farmers’ – something the NFU believes is essentially right but should be administered in a simple and straightforward way that does not penalise active farm businesses that have successfully diversified.
The full implications of the proposals will be outlined at the forthcoming briefing sessions by the NFU’s national CAP specialist Gail Soutar, who will ask farmers to highlight how their businesses are likely to be affected. This will be crucial in the coming months as the CAP debate gathers pace both in Westminster and Brussels.
According to NFU North East regional director Barney Kay, the lobbying campaign associated with this latest review of the CAP will feel distinctly different as for the first time MEPs will have a part to play in deciding the final outcome.
"One result of the Lisbon Treaty was the introduction of so-called co-decision, which means decision making is shared by the European Parliament and the European Council of Ministers," he said.
"This means MEPs now have a real influence on the future of the CAP and this is something we will have to bear in mind. As a result further lobbying at regional level will be essential in trying to ensure the voice of the British farmer is heard. I hope this will come across very strongly in the meetings we have planned and encourage members to get involved."
Also at the briefings will be representatives of Defra’s local RDPE team to outline the new Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme, designed to help farm businesses increase their profits and reduce their impact on the environment.
NFU Panel Solicitors Crombie Wilkinson will also be at the Wakefield meeting to highlight current legal issues for the farming sector.
The three briefing sessions, which are open to all members, will take place as follows:
- Tuesday 15 November, 2.00 – 4.00pm at Britannia Hotel, Newcastle Airport NE13 8DJ
- Tuesday 15 November, 7.00 - 9.00pm at Darlington Rugby Club DL1 5NR
- Wednesday 16 November, 7.00 - 9.00pm at Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield WF4 3QZ
To book a place on any of the meetings please ring NFU North East regional office on 01904 451550.
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