Defra Secretary of State Caroline Spelman addressed the Oxford Farming Conference today, arguing for a fundamental reform of the CAP in order to reward farmers who do more to protect the environment.

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NFU comment 

NFU President Peter Kendall said: “The NFU supports a progressive reform of the CAP which helps farmers to become more competitive and productive so that they can meet the big global challenges. It's important that we have a UK government that is pragmatic and engaged in its approach and that recognises the economic, environmental and political importance of the CAP.

“We believe that the CAP must also continue to do its part for the environment and we share the UK government's view that this is best achieved through targeted rural development programmes rather than more conditions placed on direct payments. We all want to get to a place where farming in Europe can be less dependent on support but there has to be recognition that this requires a long-term strategy that includes addressing the problems that continue to exist in the market - volatility and abuse of power.”