The UK government's decision to hand over more CAP Pillar 2 funds than any other EU member state showed its professed support for rural development is empty rhetoric and that the UK had effectively negotiated against the interests of its own agricultural industry, Farmers' Union of Wales policy director Nick Fenwick told the Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum seminar today.
Dr Fenwick also told the seminar on "Implementing the Common Agricultural Policy and the future of UK farming" that the UK and Wales needed to look at what countries like Ireland were doing as they are key competitors within the UK market and in the EU.
In the presence of other speakers including Scottish Government's agriculture and rural development deputy director David Barnes, Tenant Farmers Association chairman Jeremy walker and Leeds University agricultural law professor Prof Michael Cardwell, Dr Fenwick highlighted the need for all regions within the UK to stop looking inwards and learn from other member states.
Speaking afterwards, he added: "The inward looking island mentality seems to dominate the UK's negotiating position and general approach to CAP, whereas UK governments need to take account of the fact we are competing in a common market and look outwards."
Commenting on the forthcoming Welsh consultation on implementing CAP reform in Wales, Dr Fenwick urged the Welsh Government not to make any binding decisions until the text of the final regulations had been considered carefully and the Welsh budget confirmed.
"The Welsh Government has a duty to explore all the available avenues carefully and with real figures before making any decisions."
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Farmers' Union of Wales policy director Nick Fenwick[/caption]