EU Budget

Talks are already getting underway on what the EU Budget should look like after the current period ends in 2020.  The EU Budget Commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva from Bulgaria, is to launch a consultation on the next ‘Multi-annual Financial Framework’.  Ms Georgieva laid out two possible broad directions.  The first would continue current spending patterns and maintain the ‘equilibrium’ between those that favoured farm spending, those that wanted funds for cohesion policies, and those that simply wanted to spend as little as possible.  The second approach would be to accept that Europe had reached a crossroads, and a radical change of approach was needed.  The latter option raises the possibility of significant change (reduction) in farm support, even if the UK decides to stay within the EU in the upcoming referendum.  Proposals for a new MFF are due to be set out before the end of 2017.