MEPs set to approve fairer and greener farm policy
On Wednesday, the European Parliament will discuss the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and endorse a deal reached with the Council on this major farm policy overhaul. Under the new CAP, funds will be distributed more fairly among member states and among farmers. MEPs have insisted that EU funds go only to active farmers and not to landowners who do not farm their land.
The new CAP will also trigger more environmentally-friendly farming practices. Almost a third of direct payments to farmers will be conditional on compliance with compulsory greening measures like crop diversification or maintaining permanent grassland and pasture. Furthermore, to introduce fresh blood into the ageing farming sector, Parliament persuaded the member states that, from 2014, they must allocate an extra share of the EU farm budget to helping young farmers.
Procedure: Co-decision (Ordinary Legislative procedure),1st reading agreement
Debate: Wednesday, 20 November
Vote: Wednesday, 20 November
Press conference: Wednesday 14:30-15:00
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