Allister comments on Health Check Communication
20 November 2007
Jim Allister MEP has said the Commission’s Health Check has a long way to go to being acceptable to Northern Ireland’s farmers.
Speaking from Brussels, Mr Allister said,
“The Commission would do well to be mindful of the original aims of the Common Agricultural Policy –these are, ensuring a fair standard of living for producers; to guarantee security of supply; and to ensure reasonable prices to consumers. It would seem the Commission is not taking full account of extremely difficult market situations which is jeopardising these aims, for the sake of trade liberalisation.”
“I do welcome the inclusion of CAP simplification as a component of the Health Check. This must include reworking the Single Payment System to be much more farmer friendly than is the case at present. For example, I would like to see the introduction of 2 days notice for on the spot checks of farms, as well as a greater leniency for farmers who face penalties for honest mistakes.”
“Fischer Boel’s announcement suggests increasing the rate of compulsory modulation by 2% increments between 2010 and 2013. Farmers are understandably anxious at losing a proportion of their direct payments in this way. However, one slight consolation may be that any increase in compulsory modulation will be mirrored by a similar reduction in voluntary modulation, which will go some way in restoring a fair playing field for Northern Ireland.”
“I am disappointed that today’s Health Check appears to offer little by way of assistance, particularly in the extremely difficult conditions of rising feed costs and stagnant returns in which our intensive farmers find themselves.
I will endeavour to use the period of consultation which follows the publication of the communication to ensuring a better deal for our vitally important agricultural industry.”
ENDS
