The new European Parliament convened in Strasbourg this week, when the 736, recently-elected members descended on the French city. We were met by several thousand farmers protesting at the unfairness of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), especially in relation to the dairy sector, and the price paid for their milk – something Welsh farmers know about all too well!

The CAP reform in 2013 is of course a huge issue for us in Wales. That’s why I’m pleased to be a member of both the new Agriculture and Environment Committees in the Parliament. The agriculture committee’s first meeting is this Tuesday, and the situation in the dairy industry is on the agenda.

I’ve also had a first meeting with my colleagues in The Green / European Free Alliance (E.F.A.) group on the agriculture committee including the well-known, French, organic farmer and anti-GM protestor, José Bove.

The meeting focused on the importance of locally produced food and developing policies which support fair prices for farmers and consumers, emphasising that farmers are first and foremost food producers. We are integrating the climate change crisis campaign and our food campaign under the slogan, “Agriculture can cool the world.”

I am also pleased to report that this week the 4 MEP’s from Wales met in Strasbourg to discuss issues on which we can work together. The first and most urgent is electronic identification of sheep (E.I.D.) against which I have campaigned for the past year. In September we will lobby the Commission again as the Welsh elected representatives from all parties to try and get the scheme made voluntary.

The Royal Welsh Show is with us again. I have a stand at the show, and if anyone would like to contact me please leave your details.

Diwedd/Ends