Welsh CAP Consultation

We have previously reported on the ‘conversations’ that the Welsh Government has initiated on the subject of CAP reform.  The responses received from these have been used by the Welsh Government at European level.  The Welsh Assembly Government has now released a more formal consultation document ‘The Common Agricultural Policy Reform: Direct Payments to Farmers: Next Steps’ with the aim of continuing the ‘national conversation’ on CAP reform. 

The document sets out the Government’s position on the different elements of the reform.  At the end of the document there are a number of ‘conversation questions’ on the structure of the new regime including;

• Direct Payments: split of Wales into regions; transition period to regional payments
• Entitlements: use of National Reserve; reference period
• Use of Top-Up Schemes: Small Farmer Scheme, Young Farmers Scheme; Areas with Natural Constraints
• Other Issues: Active Farmer, Greening, Capping, Modulation

The full consultation can be found at http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/cap/documents/cap-reform-direct-payments-next-steps/;jsessionid=C43393475378EDAF110F6B2EEB143741?lang=en views need to be submitted by 7^th May 2013.

Running alongside is a similar exercise on the Welsh Rural Development programme for 2014-2020.  This can be found via the following link – http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/businessandeconomy/130114walesandtheeu/;jsessionid=50F2666C29459CF542FED137350E508D?lang=en