DEFRA Questions - Common Agricultural Policy (EU Review)

DEFRA Questions

26-Feb-2009

Mr. Michael Moore (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (LD): What progress has been made in the EU review of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn): The CAP health check was, on balance, a step towards our long-term view of the CAP. In particular, it removed about half the remaining production-coupled payments. We will continue to press for further reform for the benefit of farmers, consumers, taxpayers and the environment in the forthcoming European Union budget review.

Mr. Michael Moore (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (LD): The hill farmers in my constituency are in an extremely precarious economic situation. Many are being forced to reduce the size of their flocks and herds, or even to contemplate getting out of farming altogether. Does the Secretary of State recognise that those farmers are vital to the well-being of their local communities and the management of our environment? If so, will he ensure that in the next fundamental review of the CAP we retain enough flexibility for the different parts of the United Kingdom to give long-term support to hill farmers?

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn): I agree with everything that the hon. Gentleman has said about the importance of hill farming, and join him in paying tribute to the work that hill farmers do. It is tough farming, undertaken by some of the toughest farmers whom I have met. I note the hon. Gentleman’s point about future negotiations, but we have already taken one significant step, which we announced not long ago, in replacing the hill farm allowance with the upland entry level scheme. The fact that that has been so widely welcomed reflects both a recognition of the Government’s commitment to supporting hill farmers, and our hard work in listening to feedback about what would help them when we were drawing up the scheme.

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