EU: Mad Cow Disease causes rift in Common Agricultural Policy

Seven countries have signed a document which contests the changes proposed by Brussels to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Under discussion is the system of calculating subsidies to be paid to farmers, pollution, and Mad Cow Disease.

The Agriculture Ministers of Portugal, France, Spain, Luxemburg, Austria, Ireland and Belgium have signed a document which defends the present CAP and attacks the changes proposed by Brussels, which defends that the present state of affairs tends towards excessive production, an increase in atmospheric pollution and Mad Cow Disease.

The changes to the CAP will only be presented at the end of the year in detail but broadly, Brussels would prefer community funds to be paid on a basis of area farmed rather than quantity produced. Other changes are intended for wheat production, with Brussels intending to reduce the subsidy from 345 Euros per hectare to 250 Euros.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru

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