IN THE last few weeks, there have been further developments on the Common Agricultural Policy in Brussels.

In a tight vote on many key issues, MEPs voted for further reductions in direct subsidy and a strengthening and ‘greening’ of rural development aspects of the CAP in order to tailor the policy to better meet the challenges of feeding a growing and more affluent global population.

There is still a long way to go, as MEPs also backed calls for some direct payments to remain. They also rejected calls for attempts to equalise payments to new EU countries.

These proposals are several steps in the right direction and British Conservatives played a vital role in ensuring that the future CAP builds on previous reforms, increases its market orientation and ensures that the public goods which farmers provide are recognised. Farmers are expected to not only provide food at affordable prices, but also to adhere to the strictest animal welfare and environmental regulations and to manage our rural landscapes.

This contribution must be recognised. The votes will ‘green’ the CAP through a greater focus on rural development.

JULIE GIRLING, MEP for South West England and Gibraltar