European Union Committee
Responding to price volatility: creating a more resilient agricultural sector
15th Report of Session 2015-16 - published 16 May 2016 - HL Paper 146
Contents
The challenges facing EU agriculture
The case for public intervention
The inquiry and the Committee’s work
Figure 1: Real indexed prices for selected agricultural
commodities (UK)
Figure 2: Real indexed prices for all agricultural outputs (UK)
Factors influencing volatility
Box 1: Drivers of recent price spikes
Normal vs. excessive volatility
Volatility as a driver of productivity
Impact on different farm groups
Table 1: Changes to farm tenancy agreements
Chapter 3: Resilience and the Common Agricultural Policy
The Common Agricultural Policy as a source of support
The evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy
Increasing farmers’ responsibility
Direct Payments as a risk management tool
Direct Payments stifling innovation
Voluntary co-operation and diversification
Supporting farmers to exit the sector
Chapter 4: International models
The Common Agricultural Policy in context
Chapter 5: Access to finance and financial instruments
Insurance under the Common Agricultural Policy
Financial Instruments and the European Investment Bank
Barriers to the use of financial instruments
Chapter 6: Research, innovation and skills
Chapter 7: The future shape of the Common Agricultural Policy
Box 2: The Objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy
Summary of conclusions and recommendations
Appendix 1: List of Members and declarations of interest
Evidence is published online at http://www.parliament.uk/price-volatility-agricultural-resilience/ and available for inspection at the Parliamentary Archives (020 7129 3074).
Q in footnotes refers to a question in oral evidence.