Memorandum submitted by David Bolton (RAS
08)
1. I read the very lengthy document "A
Vision for CAP" when it became available.
I would like the opportunity to address briefly
the EFRA committee on 4 July.
2. My involvement in the Rural Business
community is as a practising Consultant since a Wye College degree
in Agriculture in 1973 and a postgrad. diploma in Farm Business
Administration. The intervening years have been spent entirely
on advising farming and other rural businesses on how they should
best react to Policy as it has evolved. I started just as UK joined
the EU, watching how the CAP increased productivity, helped farmers
incomes, but showed problems as supplies exceeded demand.
3. The Rebate in 1984 and the coincidental
coming of Milk Quotas started to show where the policy did not
easily fit our UK circumstances. I had drained farms and straightened
hedgerows under FHDS through the 70s and early 80s.
4. Read and commented on the MacSharry reforms,
Agenda 2000 and the latest round including decoupling.
I have commented on both the Uruguay round of
GATT and the DOHA round under WTO.
5. I joined David Anderson and Co. in 1993-94
and have spoken and written on the potential impact of various
policies including Sugar Beet reform particularly as it may/will
impact on the Eastern Counties. I am a Fellow of the Association
of Agricultural Valuers and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural
Societies, dedicated to supporting rural businesses and to improving
image of the countryside to the wider public whilst improving
farmers morale and circumstances.
6. The currently expressed vision for the
future is somewhat idealistic but a long-term plan in a widening
Europe with milestones and an ultimate goal is essential.
7. The possible and practical transitional
steps need to be identified. The speed with which rural businesses
will take them up needs to be understood and the best methods
of communicating these steps with credibility chosen.
8. Vast sums of public money are involved
so food security a healthy environment and an attractive countryside
are reasonable expectations. UK circumstances are different to
those of New Zealand however some of their practises (including
marketing) adjusted for northern hemisphere would help. Long-term
attachment to a generous subsidy nipple prevents an industry maturing
properly.
June 2006
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