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Lyon calls on Spain to reject secret plans to slash CAP spending
November 20, 2009 12:00 AM
George Lyon MEP was in Madrid on Monday 16th and 17th November for a series of meetings with individual Ministers of the Spanish Government who take over the presidency of the European Union on the 1st January 2010.
Mr Lyon met Mrs Elena Salgado who is Finance Minister in the Spanish Government. At the meeting he raised the deep concerns of Scottish farmers about the secret plans the EU Commission has to slash CAP spending in the budget review.
The plans, which were leaked to the press, included proposals to cut the CAP budget and redirect the money to other priorities. They also proposed a big increase in compulsory modulation and targeting more of the CAP spending at climate change measures. In addition, they proposed introducing co-financing of the CAP by Member States.
Commenting, Mr Lyon:
"I told the Minister that the Commissions secret plans for big cuts to the CAP budget in 2013 could have a devastating impact on Scottish farming if they were to see the light of day.
"For many hill farmers who are struggling financially to survive, big cuts in support would spell the end of the road for them, as many would just give up. This would lead to a further exodus of cattle and sheep from the hills and uplands of Scotland.
"I pressed her to make sure that the Spanish Presidency will dump the proposals when they take over the Presidency.
"I also raised Scottish concerns when I met with Mr Sebastion, the Spanish Trade Minister, and he reassured me that Spain was committed to a competitive European agriculture and ongoing investment in rural development."
During his visit Mr Lyon also met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs Maria Fernandez De La Vega.
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