West Midlands’ farmers quizzed a European politician about proposals to overhaul a key agricultural policy amid concerns the changes could severely hamper the industry.
The NFU regional combinable crops board met Anthea McIntyre, MEP, at a farm in Herefordshire today (Jan 27).
They were at Harewood End for their meeting and met her to discuss the European Commission’s proposals to overhaul the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP.
CAP sees money given to the industry for the crops and land which are cultivated and aims to protect farmers from volatile markets.
This in turn helps to protect shoppers from volatile food prices and also helps to protect rural heritage, the countryside and its environment.
Clare Greener, senior NFU policy adviser, said: “We discussed the issues and concerns of growers regarding the reform proposals.
“In particular we talked in detail about the proposed greening measures and how as they currently stand they will prevent innovation and development on UK farms.”
Some of the changes put forward by the European Commission threaten to overwhelm farm businesses and the NFU believes the measures could make the industry less competitive.
Farmers have concerns about the concept of “greening” where in the future 30 per cent of direct support could be conditional on them following mandatory environmental measures.
John Mercer, NFU regional director, said: “The proposals, as they stand, will take the industry backwards at a time when we need to be going forward.
“Fortunately there is now time for farmers and the NFU to lobby MPs and MEPs and demonstrate the damaging impact these proposals could have.
“Our members are in the business of producing food and need to feed a growing population in a more sustainable way so any proposal to take land out of production is a real backward step.
“These proposals are also potentially damaging to the farmed environment which farmers are working so hard to improve.
“We need to work together and lobby to help simplify these proposals so there is a streamlined, workable system from 2014.
“I am pleased the crops board met Anthea McIntyre and I would urge other farmers to write to their European politicians, speak with their MPs and invite them on farm.”
Farmers can go to the CAP section of www.nfuonline.com or call the regional office on 01952 400500 for further details.
No comments have been made.