Common Agricultural Policy

DEFRA Questions

29-Oct-2009

Mr. Michael Moore (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (LD): What recent discussions his Department has had with the European Commission on reform of the common agricultural policy. [296304]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Jim Fitzpatrick): The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has ongoing discussions on reform of the common agricultural policy with the Commission both formally and informally, including at regular meetings of the Agriculture Council, the last of which I attended on 19 October. The next phase of negotiations will begin informally next year with the new Agriculture Commissioner.

Mr. Michael Moore (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (LD): Previously the Secretary of State has acknowledged the difficulties facing hill farmers in my constituency and elsewhere in the UK, which have not been eased by the implementation of sheep identification tags. Those farmers are deeply alarmed by the DEFRA vision for the future of agriculture. In the context of the recent Calman commission recommendations that Scottish and other devolved Administrations should have a serious input into UK policy making, will he give a pledge that Scottish concerns will be heard before a final British position is taken on CAP reform?

View a full transcript of this speech

---