The CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) was in the news again last week. On 20th May, the European Commission published a 'health check' on the CAP which is a prelude to some more serious reform. The CAP consumes 43% of the E.U.'s budget - nearly £40bn a year - and is the E.U.'s most expensive policy. The commission wants farmers to respond to market forces, and to give them subsidies not for growing specific crops or rearing certain animals, but for being stewards of the environment, and looking after it rather than destroying it. However, a controversial proposal in the 'health check' is to allow national governments to take 10% of their CAP money and spend it on special projects, like supporting uneconomic farming activities such as sheep farming in France. The CAP - which British tax-payers contribute to - provides massive subsidies which support livestock farming all over Europe. Britain's suggestion is to scrap the CAP.
If you disagree with the CAP, email your MEPs and write to the E.U. Commissioner and the Prime Minister.