Without reform the CAP will be scrapped

[WD-40]

News from the RSPB site

The RSPB and BirdLife International have published proposals for widespread change to Europe-wide farming policy to improve sustainability, tackle wildlife declines and help combat climate change.

A ‘health check’ of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy starts this month to help prevent cuts in farm funds when the EU’s budget is reviewed in 2009.

In their report, New challenges, new CAP, the two organisations, representing more than 20 conservation groups, say the CAP will be more robust if better land management rather than production is made the priority. This would help rural economies, safeguard Europe’s best wildlife sites and replicate the environmental benefits of set-aside land by increasing funding for green farming schemes.

Gareth Morgan, Head of Agriculture Policy at the RSPB, said: 'The health check could be a turning point for farming or it could be the beginning of the end of the CAP.

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[Chocky]

Thank s for the info Robert. and keeping us up to date