Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - Fifth Report
The Common Agricultural Policy after 2013

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Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 5 April 2011.

Contents

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Terms of Reference

Summary

1  Introduction

Purpose and Scope of the inquiry

Background to the Common Agricultural Policy

The origin and evolution of the CAP

The current structure of the CAP

2  Objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy

The need for a common policy on agriculture

Objectives and priorities for the post-2013 CAP

Food Security

Agricultural Competitiveness

Natural resources

Farmers' incomes

Diversity of farming systems

3  Drivers for reform of the CAP

Future agricultural policy and world trade

4  The budget of the CAP in the post-2013 financial framework

5  The Commission's Communication: the CAP towards 2020

6  The Single Payment Scheme post-2013

Divergent perspectives on the future of direct payments

Arguments for the retention of direct payments

Poor business conditions in agriculture

Ensuring EU food security

Direct payments make EU farmers globally competitive

Rewarding farmers for delivering public benefits

Arguments against the retention of direct payments

Direct payments do not make farming more competitive

The Single Payment Scheme is not targeted

More money needs to be spent on the environment

Commercial prospects for agriculture are improving

Conclusions on the future of the Single Payment Scheme

Defra's handling of the debate over the Single Payment Scheme

7  A more equitable distribution of funding

8  The balance of funding between direct payments and payments for environmental public goods

Does the CAP need to be greener?

The Commission's proposals to 'green' Pillar 1

9  Additional proposals for direct payments

The future of coupled payments

Targeting of direct payments to active farmers

Capping of payments

Support for small farmers

Support for Less Favoured Areas or Areas of Natural Constraint

10  Increasing the competitiveness of EU agriculture

Research and Knowledge Transfer

Improving the functioning of the supply chain

Price volatility and market management measures

11  Simplification

12  Defra's handling of the response to the Communication

13  Conclusion on the Commission's Three Options

Conclusions and recommendations

Formal minutes

Witnesses

List of printed written evidence

List of additional written evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament

Oral and Written Evidence - HC 671-II
8 December 2010
11 January 2011
13 January 2011
19 January 2011
26 January 2011
1 February 2011
8 February 2011
Written Evidence

Additional written evidence (unprinted)

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Prepared 15 April 2011