McKenna welcomes proposed CAP reform

Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna has welcomed the European Commission’s proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, saying it will end the severe environmental damage caused by intensive farming.

The EC has proposed ending the link between subsidies and production levels and basing payments on environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards.

"We really have to develop sustainable forms of agriculture, not agriculture that will last for a short while, make profits for people for the next number of years and cause problems in relation to the land, in relation to pollution, in relation to production," Ms McKenna said.

"If we have a situation, which is already happening, where the land is in the hands of fewer and fewer, that also has a major impact on local rural communities."