NFU President Peter Kendall will be in the North East next week (Thursday 27 October) to kick off a tour of the country following last week’s EU announcement on the latest review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) due to come in from January 2014.
Mr Kendall has already gone on record saying very few of the proposals will help deliver stated EU objectives of “smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for European agriculture”. In fact he says the plans could actually move the industry in the opposite direction.
Just some of the issues already identified 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.
Now, with detailed analysis of the initial proposals complete, Mr Kendall will be travelling the country with NFU Chief Economist Phil Bicknell to give members a chance to explore the detail of what has been put forward.
The meeting will also allow members to highlight how the proposals will affect farm businesses across the region. This will be crucial in the coming months as the NFU seeks to fully represent members in talks with decision makers 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."
The meeting will take place at the Conference Centre, Askham Bryan College, near York, on Thursday 27 October between 1.30 and 3.30pm. It is open to all NFU members.
Anyone unable to attend will get another chance to take part in this important debate. A further three CAP briefing sessions from NFU CAP specialist Gail Soutar are planned in November as follows:
Tuesday 15 November Britannia Hotel, Newcastle Airport NE13 8DJ 2.00 – 4.00pm
Tuesday 15 November Darlington Rugby Club DL1 5NR 7.00 – 9.00pm
Wednesday 16 November Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield WF4 3QZ 7.00 – 9.00pm
To book a place on any of the meetings please ring NFU North East regional office on 01904 451550.
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