The president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) has criticised the planned reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for increasing costs at a time when the industry needs to increase output.
Peter Kendall said food production must be at the heart of the reforms because in the next 40 years the world will need 70 per cent more food.
“The next few decades will be a crucial period for farmers. The EU Commission says it wants smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for European agriculture but the proposals currently on the table, rather than support those objectives, actually move farming in England and Wales in the opposite direction. In particular, ideas for greening CAP payments need to be given very careful consideration.”
Kendall said he was looking to Efra committee chairman Anne McIntosh, MP, to “robustly question” the Commission’s approach to greening the CAP.
“How can it be sensible to increase costs on the industry at a time when we need to increase output, increase jobs, increase exports and boost our flagging economy?
“I have heard DEFRA ministers repeatedly say they do not want to see English farmers disadvantaged and that they want the greening measures to be meaningful.
“I am yet to be convinced that this is not code for gold plating or an attempt by Treasury to reduce its spend on agriculture in the UK.”
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