The proposed new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should include new measures to reduce the price volatility of agricultural commodities, according to EU farming ministers.

Spanish agriculture minister Elena Espinosa has argued the EU's future CAP needs to include a safety net to protect farmers and their income,

Espinosa said “a safety net should apply to all operators involved in the supply chain", following an EU-27 ministerial debate on post-2013 CAP market management measures last month.

But the European Commission said that such reforms should not undermine efforts undertaken to enhance competitiveness, reports EuroActive.com.

The creation of income insurance schemes, strengthened co-operation between producer organisations and other operators of the supply chain and the establishment of a crisis fund were among the new measures put forward.

The UK, Denmark and Sweden continue to believe that no new measures are needed, as improved market orientation and competitiveness of EU agriculture provide the best protection for farmers.

EU farm commissioner Dacian Cioloş said that new measures should include a crisis management system to guarantee "a certain amount of income stability" for farmers and distribute money more effectively throughout the supply chain, but said they should not overrun other existing initiatives.

A background paper on the issue tabled by the presidency suggested that price and supply crises were likely to happen more frequently and with a more definite, negative impact on producer income, food availability and the economy as a whole in the future.

The paper said the EU farm model should include the necessary tools "to stabilise markets and deal with price volatility" and ensure farmers with fair incomes "that reflect their contribution to society".