CAP reforms 'more value' for farmers

Radical new reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy have been published by the European Commission in Brussels.

Commissioner Franz Fischler claims the review will provide better value for money for farmers, consumers and taxpayers across the eurozone.

The changes proposed include ending the link between production and direct payments, with farmers instead receiving a single payment from Brussels based on historic production.

These payments will also be conditional on environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards.

This should also substantially cut out paperwork for farmers.

The review also recommends a 20% cut in direct payments and that the money saved be channelled into rural development.

It further caps the aid to larger farmers at €300,000.