Assembly inquiry to examine Welsh priorities for Common Agricultural Policy

11 October 2011 Welsh priorities for the European Commission’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will be examined as part of a new inquiry by the National Assembly for Wales.

The Environment and Sustainability Committee has set up a task and finish group to investigate the potential impacts of any reforms to CAP, which sees around £300 million of European money flow into Welsh agriculture every year.

The EC’s proposals for changes to CAP are published on 12 October and the task and finish group will be looking for specific views and amendments to those proposals.

Any changes to the policy in terms of the way funding is allocated and the possibility of a real term reduction to the CAP budget could have significant implications for Welsh farming.

Sub0“The reform of the CAP is one of the most important issues facing Wales at the moment,” said Vaughan Gething AM, Chair of the Common Agricultural Policy Task and Finish Group.

“Like many other sectors of the economy agriculture faces rising prices at a time when retailers and consumers are looking to save their own costs.

“There is of course an increased emphasis and public expectation that farming methods will be sustainable.

“Clearly the Welsh agricultural sector is working in a challenging climate so it is vital that the voice of Wales is heard in the negotiations.

Anyone wishing to submit evidence as part of the inquiry can email ES.comm@wales.gov.uk or write to the Clerk to the CAP Task and Finish Group, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1NA.