Obsession to ‘out-green’ is all-pervasive

The Queen’s Speech at Westminster, setting out the government’s legislative plans, confirmed its determination to match or even out-green the EU.

Plans include a ban on live exports and a new link between animal welfare and farm support payments. However, the government failed to respond to calls for parallel standards to be imposed on food imports, suggesting it deems cheap food and trade deals more important.

The European Commission has confirmed it wants to embrace new plans to make agriculture a zero net contributor to water, soil and air pollution by 2050.

This adds weight to a sense that in both the UK and EU, the pursuit of green headlines has eclipsed the concept of a globally competitive, productive farming industry that guarantees food security.

Meanwhile, a report by the European Commission on the 2014-2020 round of CAP funding has concluded that direct payments and aid for areas of natural constraint played a key role in stabilising farm incomes. It also claims limited price support helped stem market collapses.

The report says there is room for improvement, particularly where coupled support is maintained.

It also suggests there is a need for better targeting of measures by member states and a need for better tools to stabilise markets.

Across the EU, CAP payments in various forms, including rural development, accounted for 36% of farm incomes, while direct payments accounted for 26%.

External convergence – reducing differences in CAP payments between member states – is deemed effective but “degressivity”, to limit payments within member states, has been less effective.

The report hands the commission a sound case for maintaining most of the structures of the CAP. Brussels is due to publish a new long-term vision for rural areas in late June.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation food price index in April marked the 11th consecutive month of rising prices, largely driven by global demand and some commodity shortages.

While sugar was the star performer, there were also rises for meat and dairy products, confirming a recovery of normal demand patterns as Covid retreats in key markets.

VIBRANT: Canola grown as healthy cooking oil or conversion to biodiesel.