CAP must be sustainable, fair and green (Dumbarton Liberal Democrats)

Dumbarton Liberal Democrats <arjmorton@yahoo.co.uk>

CAP must be sustainable, fair and green

July 8, 2010 8:23 AM
By George Lyon in the European Parliament
Originally published by George Lyon - Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland

There are two fundamental questions that must be answered.

What is the CAP for and why is it still relevant in the 21st century?

In these times of economic crisis, debt ridden public finances and austerity budgets, it is vital the CAP provides answers to these questions if we want taxpayers to continue providing much needed support in the future.

One of the fundamental challenge society faces is how to feed a growing world demand for food.

The United Nations estimates that the global population will nearly double by 2020.

This is against a background of less land, less water and less energy.

How do we square that circle and avoid the perfect storm predicted by the UK's chief scientific adviser Sir John Beddington. In 2009 he said:

"We head into a perfect storm in 2030, because all of these things are operating on the same time frame.

"If we don't address this, we can expect major destabilisation, an increase in rioting and potentially significant problems with international migration, as people move out to avoid food and water shortages."

Tackling climate change and making our agricultural production more sustainable - these principles must be at the heart of the reform.

These are vital steps if we are to continue to have guaranteed food security for European citizens and still make a contribution to meeting growing global demand.

The reform should also encourage green growth through the development of small scale renewables such as wind, biomass, biogas and second generation biofuels.

That would help create jobs and provide real opportunities for farmers to diversify and earn extra income.

And we must also respond to the call for greater environmental protection by ensuring farmers have an opportunity to participate in agri-environment schemes with the goal of having the majority of farmland being covered by one.

By using the carrot rather than the big stick of rules and regulations on the environment you will get buy-in from farmers, but the rules need to be simple and effective.

Fairness also has to be a key driver of the reform.

Fair to old member states as well as new Member States in the distribution of direct payment envelopes across the EU.

Fair distribution among farmers in Member States by bringing historic payments to an end by 2020.

It cannot be right or justified to continue making payments based on how you farmed 10 years ago.

And we need a fair deal for farmers in the food chain.

We also have to address the issue of market volatility. On this, I would urge some caution.

Yes, we still need intervention and private aids to storage.

Yes, we need to examine other tools such as risk insurance and futures.

Yes, we need a reserve budget line to fund action in a crisis.

But, we should reject any thought of a return to the management of the markets.

In conclusion, I am confident that this house will back our reforms, modernising the CAP, setting it on a new course to deliver on the new challenges of the 21st century.

By voting for the report the Parliament will shape the debate, set the agenda, and I would invite the Commissioner to use our ideas to inform his proposals on CAP reform in November.