I heard my former colleagues Martin Harper and Gareth Morgan spelling out the threats to Pillar 2 of the CAP early this morning.
Doesn’t it sound dull? Pillar 2? CAP? But it’s about the life in our countryside and how our money is spent. The losses of wildlife in the farmed countryside have been huge over my lifetime and I have always seen wildlife-friendly payments to willing farmers as one of the best aspects of the EU. These payments help to keep great bustards in the plains of Spain, skylarks in the fields around me in Northamptonshire and black-tailed godwits in Dutch meadows. So they are worth fighting for, and no wonder the RSPB is asking its members, like me, to write to President Barroso, Commissioner Ciolos and Commissioner Lewandowski.
Defra is issuing a statement saying “The CAP budget needs to decrease very substantially – but cuts should be focused on Pillar 1. We’re concerned by rumours that Pillar 2 may be disproportionately in the firing line. Pillar 2 is better value for money, contributing to economic growth, supporting the environment and agricultural competitiveness, and should have a larger share of a smaller CAP budget.” This is not bad – although it leaves the door open to spend Pillar 2 money on non-environmental aspects.
Think I’ll go out and see whether I can hear a quail that has been singing locally in a field of beans in which I have already invested through my taxes.
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Oh dear what a disaster some 0.0something must have come from your taxes to see a Quail.Surely that sort of talk cannot come from my head,from where I sit it seems for some reason which you will not own up to you have a serious hatred of farmers.The last two lines of your comment cannot be looked at any other way.As conservationists you myself and others need to recognise we are in a serious minority and not be so critical of majority.This is in my head but relevant and you need to all consider the statement from ordinary member of public that over 90% would agree with “if it is a Corncrake or my kid then goodby Corncrake”.