British minister calls for clarification over European CAP reforms - FreshFruitPortal.com

British minister calls for clarification over European CAP reforms

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British minister calls for clarification over European CAP reforms

British Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Elizabeth Truss, is calling on the European Commission for clarity on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms planned for 2015, especially in terms of new 'greening rules'.

The government has put together a guide to the new CAP reforms called 'The new Common Agricultural Policy schemes in England: August 2014 update (including Greening: how it works in practice)'.

The minister urges farmers across the country to read the latest updates to better understand the implications for farming.

Elizabeth Truss pic sq

British Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Elizabeth Truss.

Part of the greening rules concern crop diversification in relation to the amount of arable land used as well as changes from the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

In a statement Truss says the new guidance aims, within the constraints set by Brussels, to be as simple and flexible as possible and forms part of a government drive to help farmers better compete domestically and internationally.

"Food and farming is the UK's largest manufacturing sector and a key component of the government’s long term economic plan," she says.

"I want farmers and growers to be able to play their part in boosting exports, increasing self-sufficiency and ensuring that as many people as possible, from patients in hospitals to hard-pressed families doing the weekly shop, are able to enjoy fresh, local and tasty food.

"I will press the Commission for increased clarity and flexibility on greening, including a review of the three crop rule. I will champion the interests of our farmers so that they can continue to concentrate of what they do best, producing top-quality, world-class food."

Meanwhile, the British National Farmers' Union continues to hold roadshow meetings around the country to help farmers understand what it describes as 'an extremely complex policy area'.

So far around 40 events have been held attended by more than 2,000 farmers and as a result around 100 questions and concerns on outstanding detail have been submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

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