Common Agricultural Policy and the Single Payment Scheme

We are at the heart of the debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, making the case for maintaining the current budget  to meet the twin challenges of food and environmental security.

The CLA also aims  to improve the working of the Single Payment Scheme Government  by lobbying Government and through Rural Payments Agency stakeholder committees.

The CLA believes that:

• Britain should be at the centre of the European Union debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy,
• But the Government's stance against EU agricultural support and border protection means we are politically isolated,
• We need a realistic EU budget to ensure the population has access to the quantity and quality of food it needs,
• Without  CAP support, environmentally-friendly farming will not withstand pressures on production.

The more sustainable, environmentally-friendly agriculture that the Government describes in its recent paper, Food 2030, cannot become a reality without an appropriate CAP budget.

Eliminating EU agricultural subsidies and border protection would destroy thousands of farm businesses, stimulating widespread abandonment of livestock grazing. This would lead to the scrubbing-over and closing in of the open landscape. The policy would also increase imports, some of them of doubtful environmental quality.

A NEW WAY FORWARD

A new paper produced by the CLA  with major European landowners and conservation bodies explains ways in which future pressures on the environment can be resisted. Land managers and conservationists have much more in common than many realise. Both see the land in Europe as a precious resource for the next generation. Proposals for the future CAP, a joint policy paper from the European Landowners' Organisation and BirdLife International, spells this out.

Read BBC coverage of its launch:

 Public Goods From Private Land

This new report looks at  ways in which land managers can deliver benefits for the public and what the priorities should be for support for those benefits. The task force was directed by Professor Allan Buckwell for the Public Utility Foundation for Rural Investment Support for Europe (RISE).

Find the report  on Public Goods From Private Land.

For advice and detail on the current working of the SPS please see the SPS page on the Advice area of the website.

Quick Links 

• CAP News Release    
• Guidance Notes
• Useful Links
• Contacts

News 

Meetings

CLA Policy Director Professor Allan Buckwell will be visiting the South East region on 10 March, the Eastern region on 2 March, and the West Midlands region on 17 - 18 March to discuss CAP reform with members. For more details see the regional pages.

Useful Links :

  Rural Payments Agency website

Emeritus Professor Allan Buckwell – Policy Director

Has overall responsibility for the co-ordination and delivery of all policy affecting land use. Ensures that the CLA promotes policies that are distinctive and benefit members. Is responsible for strategic thinking on major land use issues and promoting CLA profile across relevant UK and EU institutions. He chairs the European Landowners Organisation (ELO) Policy Group and co-ordinates CLA relations with ELO.

Phone: 020 7235 0511
FAX: 020 7235 4696
Email allan.buckwell@cla.org.uk