Download The Common Agricultural Policy

The Common Agricultural Policy
- the UK View
Claire Wilding
British Embassy Paris
Some common myths about the
UK’s view on CAP
• The UK wants to scrap the CAP
• Key aim of UK CAP policy is to save
money
Why reform the CAP?
• Allow farmers to produce for market
• Reduce cost for consumers and taxpayers
• EU priorities (jobs, growth, climate change,
security)
• But need to retain benefits
– environment
– rural development
UK approach
• Context: globalisation, climate change, economic
growth, consumer demand
• Vision for agriculture:
–
–
–
–
Profitable without subsidy
Rewarded by market for its outputs
Net contributor to environment
Manager of natural assets
UK Vision for EU agriculture
• Elimination of pillar 1
• Lower tariffs
• Remaining subsidies focussed on services
farming provides for society
– environmental improvement
– flood management
What about farmers?
• CAP inhibits ability to respond to market
signals
• CAP currently inefficient at helping farmers
- much of benefit goes to landowners and
producers of inputs
• Negative impacts of intervention
• Avoid future painful adjustment
Food security?
• Food security vital
– climate change
• Diversity of supply
• Agriculture needs to respond to market
signals
• Need to develop agriculture in Africa
Conclusion
• UK wants to see radical reform of the CAP
• EU agriculture can thrive under a more
liberal regime
• Food security vital - but 100% self
sufficiency not the answer
• Need to reorient budget to better reflect
modern-day EU priorities