The two main issues of contention that have emerged following the launch of the Commission’s proposals for the reform of the fruit and vegetable regime are the measures for crisis management and the proposals for the decoupling of processing aid, according to the NFU.

Both of these measures are said to have caused particular consternation amongst southern member states, both heavy users of processing aid and the current intervention arrangements.

The Commission proposal that would remove fruit, vegetable and potato authorisations in England has attracted comparatively less ire among member states, the union said.

However the associated measure that would remove the negative list allowing farmers and growers in those countries that adopted a historical model of payments, to plant crops of fruit, vegetables and potatoes and still claim the single payment, has attracted negative comments from several member states.

These countries argue that this will lead to non-traditional growers of fruit, vegetable and potato crops moving into these sectors with the help of their single payment cheque. An argument disputed by the Commission, who consider that the overriding goal must be to free up farmers and growers to grow what they want.

The NFU added that the first political discussion of the Commission’s proposals will take place in the April agriculture council, with the Commission still intent on gaining political agreement for the package of proposals by June.

Topics