EU to look at leaner, more targeted farm policy

17/11/10 19:24 CET

europa

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Europe’s far-reaching Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) needs to be fairer to small farmers and the countryside, according to EU farm commissioner Dacian Ciolos, who is unveiling his reform ideas this Thursday. Law proposals will follow next year on how the policy will run after 2013.

Countries like France and Germany support balanced aid, whereas the UK and the Netherlands want to go radically further, such as ending income support and market intervention.

Ciolos has said: “Farmers will still have direct support, which will be linked to how they produce. This will look at how they manage natural resources in a sustainable way, taking into account the environment, biodiversity and soil and water quality.”

The CAP accounts for nearly half the European Union budget. More than 59 billion euros last year went to rural development and subsidies. Brussels aims to make sure the money goes to active farmers who need it the most.

More about: Agriculture, CAP, European Union

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