Progress on replacement for cap has accelerated

Without Brexit the future of the CAP would be dominating farming headlines in Scotland.

Progress on a replacement after 2020 has accelerated, with the European Commission setting out its ideas on the future direction of the policy for the EU-27.

Ironically much of the thinking would have gone down well with the UK Government, including plans to devolve more decision making to national governments, simplification, risk management and an easing of some aspects of greening.

A more competitive farming industry is the main driver for the new CAP which is a discussion document at this stage.

One of the big unknowns is how much funding will be available, particularly for direct payments, in the wake of Brexit which will reduce the EU budget by around 14%. The consequences of the decision to approve the relicensing of glyphosate continue, with reports that it has had a negative impact on efforts to form a government in Germany.

The necessary qualified majority for a positive decision was down in no small measure to German support for the relicensing proposal.

However this prompted one of the parties in discussions with Angela Merkel on a new coalition government to threaten to walk away from the talks.

It wants the Merkel minister responsible for agriculture to be removed over his support for glyphosate amid claims he acted alone in backing the proposal.

This underlines the depth of opposition to glyphosate and other plant protection products – and confirms that green pressure groups are being heeded over science at the highest levels in government.