Press Release - 20th May 2008

GLOBAL VISION DISAPPOINTED BY EU'S REFORM OF CAP

The EU today unveiled its latest plans for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). They included:

· The progressive transfer of subsidies from the major farmers to traditional family farms.
· Ending of "set-aside" (the practice of paying farmers to leave land fallow).
· Phasing out of milk quotas, by 2015.
· Directing money to rural development and green, environmentally-friendly, programmes.

Ruth Lea, Director of Global Vision said:

"The CAP is expensive, it increases food prices, disadvantaging the relatively poor, and discriminates against developing countries. Moreover CAP spending continues to rise: in 2001 annual expenditure was €42bn, it is now €54bn. And it still comprises about 45% of the EU's total budget. Britain, in particular, will continue to be disadvantaged as it is a major, and increasing, contributor to the EU budget yet has a relatively small agricultural sector."