CAP Focuses On Greener Arable Land, But Lacks Welfare Incentives

This morning's proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy focus heavily on supporting arable farmers in becoming more environmentally and economically competitive.

Called the "greening" element, in addition to the basic payment, it has been proposed that an extra payment per holding will be rewarded for respecting certain agricultural practices.

This includes the maintenance of permanent pasture, crop diversification and maintaining an ecological focus area (a sort of setaside) of at least seven per cent farmland.

Many farm organisations are outraged at this proposal of setaside, particularly with the political pressure to increase farm production in the face of future food security.

Irish MEP, Jim Nicholson said that the setaside proposal was a step backwards, particularly when considering the high prices that European livestock farmers pay for imported grain.

With the focus on arable production, there was disappointment for animal welfare groups.

The welfare of animals got no mention in today's proposals, and although still an obligation of cross compliance, the reform offers no rewards for farmers, who correctly apply animal welfare related directives and provides no sanction that is sufficiently dissuasive to those who fail to respect the European law.

A huge positive of the proposals is increased support for young farmers. With a vast majority of farmers in European countries over the age of 50, it is increasingly important for the future of European agriculture that new entrants into farming are encouraged.

With this in mind, the proposals support incentives and funding for young farmers setting up farming and diversified enterprises in the EU.

The debate and consultations on these proposals have begun and due to the large geographical and social differences between member states it will take time to find a happy medium.

With two and half years until the reform is formally introduced, a lot can change.