NFU 2010: Direct subsidies 'vital' says EU Commissioner

Addressing the Birmingham audience via a video link-up Dacian Ciolos said food security was back on the political agenda.

And food security could only be achieved if farmers had income security through pillar one payments, he said, albeit under a reformed system.

“The system of direct payments needs to be adjusted,” he said.

“But we should not forget that many benefits provided under the umbrella of pillar two (environmental) would simply not be possible without the vital income stability provided by the first pillar of direct payments.

“Single payments help guarantee land stays in use in the first place,” said the Romanian.

Mr Ciolos said his blueprint paper for CAP reform post 2013 would be published ‘sometime before the end of the year’, but he said debate should begin now.

“I shall be very much in listening mode until June or July,” he said.

Mr Ciolos parted by highlighting the importance of the NFU in Europe.

“A number of my advisors have made it clear to me that the NFU is an impressive organisation. More than many other farm lobby groups in Europe, you have always been at the forefront of new thinking and constructive ideas.

“There is no more important time than now for farm organisations to be contributing to the debate about the future,” he said.

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