Spain Minister of Agriculture opposes cuts to EU subsidies

 

The Agriculture Ministers for both France and Spain have jointly issued a statement, saying how neither country will submit to any budget reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) due to take effect in 2014, and which may reduce the current level of financial support and subsidies offered to the sector.

Between them, Spanish and French farms account for over 40% of all financial support offered by the CAP, and both Ministers pointed to the reliance of the sector in providing employment in rural areas.

The UK is leading the way in calling for a reform of the CAP to free up funding for new priorities such as addressing climate change. A number of Eastern European member states have come out in support of maintaining the current position on the CAP, whilst complaining that they are not seeing similar benefits to their Westen European neighbours.

Both Ministers are also critical of the EU's proposal for teh CAP to focus on the environmental impact of farming, such as exploring water conservation measures, controlling the use of pesticides and setting aside a given percentage of their land as unfarmed 'Green' areas.

Further negotitations are expected during 2012-2013 before the CAP proposed reforms take effect in 2014.