South West farmers to have a say on European policy

Farmers in the South West are being given the chance to tell local MEPs what they think of European policy for agriculture (CAP) at an event this week with the European Parliament.

‘Sowing the seeds of a new Common Agricultural Policy’ will take place on Friday 23 November 2012 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm at the National Farmers Union (NFU) South West office in Exeter.

The event has been organised by the European Parliament in association with NFU South West and the Houses of Parliament Outreach Service. Feedback from the South West rural community will be used to help develop and influence policy in areas such as agriculture, employment, regeneration and EU regional funding.

This is the first time that the European Parliament has held an event of this kind in Exeter. It will give farmers, rural businesses and countryside organisations in Devon the opportunity to hear more about how the CAP is being reformed and to have their say on how current EU policies are affecting them.

Local MEPs Julie Girling (Con) and Sir Graham Watson (Lib) will debate the latest developments of the CAP reforms with representatives from the local farming and business community. Discussions will also focus on other key issues affecting the South West agriculture sector including Bovine TB, Marine Protected Areas, the EU Water Framework Directive and the Nitrate Directive.

Julie Girling, Conservative MEP, said: "The South West farming industry is vital to our regional economy and it is essential that we policy makers engage directly with farmers and other key stakeholders within our regions to enable us to get the absolute best for the British agricultural industry. I meet regularly with NFU representatives and farmers across the South West. As the UK Spokesperson for Agriculture I am totally committed to getting the best deal from Brussels for British farmers."

Sir Graham Watson, Liberal Democrat MEP, said: “The rural economy is an integral part of the Westcountry economy. 60% of the UK’s budget from the EU is spent on agriculture. I want to see that money better targeted towards small farms and making our rural communities flourish economically. We need to be encouraging people to buy local, reducing our food miles and ensuring that farming is sustainable for the long term.”

Alex Stevens an advisor for NFU South West, said: “It would be unrealistic for us to expect the CAP to be exempt from the austerity measures that are having to be applied throughout the European Union. But, whatever the size of the budget finally agreed, we want to hear assurances that it will be applied fairly across the Union and that simplicity rather than burdensome bureaucracy will characterise its application. Specifically, we expect our farmers to be treated equitably with others in Europe to ensure that they can operate on a level playing field with their continental competitors.”

Those unable to attend the event will be able to follow the debate on Twitter and put questions to MEPs by using the hashtag #sowingseeds