Agriculture MEPs clash over CAP 'greening' penalties

摘要

MEPs clashed last week at the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development over the extent to which farmers should be penalised for not complying with the 'greening' requirements proposed for 30 per cent of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct payments. The European Commission wants to make 30 per cent of farm payments conditional on three "greening" steps: arable farmers would have to rotate crops so at least three a year are planted; 7 per cent of a farm's land would have to be an "ecological focus area" (EFA); and livestock producers would have to commit to maintaining permanent pastures, under the reform plans.