We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.MEPs continue fight for strong CAP
MEP efforts to maintain a strong CAP budget to support Europe’s farmers received a boost this week.
The Agriculture Committee voted overwhelmingly in favour of a report which called for a ‘fair, sustainable and green CAP’ after 2013.
The report, written by George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, told the European Commission to maintain direct payments and resist cuts to the £50 billion annual budget.
Mr Lyon said: “Most importantly, the Committee has supported maintaining the current CAP budget giving a stable platform to implement reforms.”
He added the CAP must evolve to reflect the changing nature of farming.
“It is clear that in the future farmers and producers will need to do more with less. That is why MEPs have voted in favour of linking farmers’ direct payments to their efforts to cut carbon emissions,” he said.
The Lyon Report resisted calls for a re-nationalisation of agricultural policy but backed moves to ensure fair trade for farmers with giant supermarkets.
The report will be voted on by all MEPs in July before being used to shape the European Commission reform proposals which will be published later this year.
