Sir Ben rallies to CAP defence
expressed his frustration at the direction of the negotiations to
reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
President of the UK National Farmers Union Sir Ben Gill yesterday expressed his frustration at the direction of the negotiations to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The reform talks stalled last week and are due to re-start tomorrow in what many believe could be a final bid to reach an agreement before the upcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Cancun, Mexico this September.
Sir Ben said he was deeply worried that the clarity of the European Commission's original proposal is being weakened in the drive to find a compromise.
He added: "Member states must think hard about the impact of their attempts to change the proposals. When the talks re-start later this week, it is vital that the entrenched positions of a few delegations become more realistic about the needs of society and the market place."
The NFU has previously voiced its overwhelming support for the changes to CAP proposed by the European Commission's Franz Fischler.
But not all member states agree with the proposals - the most notable opponent is France, currently the biggest beneficiary of CAP.
Supporters of CAP reform are keen to see an agreement between member states in anticipation of the WTO round of talks. They maintain that CAP, as it stands today, could be a real obstacle to progressive trade talks in Mexico.
