Setting the agenda: The Oxford Farming Conference gets the ball rolling in 2012

摘要

CAROLINE SPELMAN says alliances forged with other EU member states by the government will help increase the power and influence held by British agriculture. Responding to the Oxford Farming Conference's power report, the Secretary of State said a collaborative approach with EU countries would help shape a CAP that worked for domestic farmers. She called for more flexibility for funds from pillar two to create innovation and entrepreneurship, saying that a little could go a long way. With many still questioning how realistic the CAP implementation timescale is, Mrs Spelman said she expected agreement to be reached between the French general election in June 2012 and German elections in October 2013, adding that it was 'still possible' that it could be agreed in time for 2014.