Jill Evans MEP today voted in favour of the European Parliament's position on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. The full Parliament, meeting in Brussels, voted in favour of maintaining a strong budget and maintaining direct payments to farms.

Jill Evans MEP said after the vote,

"While the ConDem government in Westminster believe that the budget which provides our farmers' livelihoods should be substantially cut, I believe that these essential funds must be maintained.

"Former Plaid Cymru Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has already written to the European Commissioner to point out the difference between the UK and Wales' position. 80% of farmers in Wales are dependent on the direct payment to maintain their livelihoods. I am glad that the European Parliament disagreed with the UK government, which wanted to reduce these payments with the eventual aim of scrapping them altogether.

"Farmers in Wales have already acknowledged that there must be a change from a historical based payment to an area based payment but this will be difficult. I am glad therefore that my amendment calling for a transition time has been acknowledged in the result adopted today.

"Additionally, I welcome today's call for measures to support young farmers as only 6% of European farmers are under 35. Overall, today's result is a good one and I look forward to the Commission presenting the draft law, due early next year."

Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM, Plaid Cymru's Rural Affairs Spokesperson in the Welsh Assembly added,

"This week’s vote in the Parliament is a key moment in the CAP reform debate. It is an important signal to the Commission indicating what the European Parliament expects to see in the draft legislative proposals.

“I welcome the changes that Jill has helped to secure and will continue to work closely with her to ensure that the interests of Welsh farmers are represented effectively at every level of government and at every stage of CAP reform.”

Diwedd/Ends