'Concerned' MEP pens letter to von der Leyen about CAP funding
MEP for the Midlands North West, Maria Walsh has written to president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen highlighting concerns around the future of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) financing and its two-pillar structure.
MEP Walsh’s correspondence to the president follows votes on the CAP in the European Parliament today (Wednesday, May 7), which saw a majority support an increased and inflation-adjusted budget.
MEP Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee.
She said: “I have written to president of the commission Ursula von der Leyen today to highlight my concerns surrounding the future of the CAP within the upcoming EU budget.
"The current two-pillar structure must be maintained, to do otherwise would increase administrative burdens, undermine coherence and risk fragmenting the single market.
“I voted in favour of a number of proposals in the European Parliament today in relation to the future of the CAP within the EU budget.
"I voted for a separate and increased CAP budget, which is adjusted for inflation, and maintains the current two-pillar structure. I was pleased that these proposals were successfully passed," she added.
The European Commission is currently preparing the next long-term EU budget, or Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF), for post-2027.
"It is essential that this preparation accounts for the nearly seven million beneficiaries across the EU relying on CAP funding," Walsh contined.
"The value of the agriculture sector must be reflected in the structure of the next MFF and cannot be sidelined in any potential reconfiguration of the EU budget.
“The main concern I raised in my letter to President von der Leyen is the potential amalgamation of the CAP and other funds into a single funding stream.
"Such a move would increase the already heavy administrative burdens on both farmers and local managing authorities, an outcome we want to avoid at all costs."
The Fine Gael MEP who is a member of the European People's Party (EPP) grouping in Europe said that abolishing the current two-pillar model of CAP would see a move away from the common foundation of EU agricultural policy towards a fragmented system based on national programming models.
“I trust President Von der Leyen will consider these concerns carefully and I look forward to receiving a response from her in due course," MEP Walsh said.
