‘Greener’ demands on farmers likely

RUMOURS of much “greener” demands on EU farmers have been strengthened by a document leaked from the EU headquarters in Brussels. The draft document discusses a number of ideas on how the Common Agricultural Policy from 2014 to 2020 should be reformed.

It suggests basic income support payments may become more equitably distributed across the 27 member states and would be paid to active farmers only, with a mandatory “green” component.

Earlier indications of capping payments on large farms, and co-financing — which would leave farmers relying more on member state exchequers — figure again in this latest leak of European Commission thinking on agriculture.