| Speaking following a meeting in Strasbourg with Joseph Daul, the leader of the EPP group in the European Parliament, John Bryan said he had a constructive exchange of views with Mr Daul on CAP post-2013. Mr Daul, who heads up the largest grouping in the Parliament, said he was strongly in favour of maintaining the CAP budget as it was vital for the future of the family farm structure across Europe. John Bryan also met Albert Deff, the Rapporteur for the EPP, and emphasised that all elements of the Commission proposals on the environment must be contained within Pillar 2. Mr Deff will be writing the report for the European Parliament on the CAP review. Mr Bryan said he stressed the importance of maintaining the full national envelope after 2013 and ensuring that the Single Farm Payment is directed towards active productive farmers. “IFA’s view is that any changes post-2013 must be introduced over a long transition period, and not before 2020 at the earliest. Pillar 1 continues to provide strong income support for productive farmers, and that all rural development and environmental supports would be retained in Pillar 2.” He said, “the meeting with Mr Daul is part of IFA’s ongoing campaign to build alliances as the reform process gathers pace. We will continue to seek support for our position that stresses the importance of maintaining a strong rural economy with a vibrant agricultural sector.” |
Friday, 17 December 2010 14:39