Allister flays voluntary modulation
14 February 2007
When the Commission’s proposal on Voluntary Modulation came back before the European Parliament, Jim Allister MEP again spoke out strongly against it, describing it as a licence for national governments to “snatch and grab” farmer’s resources.
In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:-
“I continue to oppose this Regulation for 5 reasons of importance to my constituency.
1. Voluntary Modulation by its very nature amounts to a snatch and grab raid by national governments on farmer’s resources. There is nothing voluntary about it.
2. It accentuates inequality across Europe, with only the UK committed to fleecing its farmers through voluntary modulation. Compulsory modulation is bad enough, but at least it is evenly spread.
3. Unlike the previous scheme, this proposal does not compel member states to produce matched funding, so in reality the anti-farming UK Government will not do so. The result is a double deficit for UK farmers - extra top-slicing of their single farm payment and no matching money from the Exchequer into the rural economy.
4. It stifles essential local variation by prohibiting regional approaches, something which the outgoing scheme permits. Both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 policy are devolved matters within the UK. Hence, the logic of permitting local variation in modulation rates.
5. The Commission proposal continues to contain a franchise provision which allows some to escape paying, leaving others to pay more.
So, just as I voted against this tawdry regulation in November, so I will do so again.”
