AN IMPORTANT meeting is to take place in Driffield with the aim of helping farmers to cope with changes to the controversial Common Agricultural Policy.
The forthcoming mid-term review of the CAP will top the agenda of the next meeting of the NFU's North East Combinable Crops Board.
Due to take place on Tuesday May 6 at Driffield Rugby Club, the meeting will hear from the NFU's chief economist, Ca
rmen Suarez, who will outline some of the proposals expected to be part of consultations due to be launched from May 20.
A number of documents have been leaked ahead of the European Commissioner's formal announcement of her proposals and these are providing the industry with a sneak preview of the approach likely to be taken.
Areas expected to be tackled as part of the so-called CAP health check include set-aside and whether this is to be permanently abolished; Article 58 – a proposal to ring-fencing up to 10percent of the SPS budget to fund, for example, farming systems that demonstrate environmental benefits; a review of EU and national modulation levels and the possible implementation of a 'cap' on the size of SPS payment that any one farmer can receive.
Carmen will be outlining the implications of these proposals and the NFU's likely response to the consultation.
She will also provide an overview of the current economic climate for cereal growers.
The meeting is due to start at 7.30pm and is open to all NFU members.
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