Nicholson welcomes EU decision on Zero Set-Aside rate for 2008
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has welcomed the decision by the European Parliament and EU agriculture Ministers to have a zero set-aside rate in 2008.
The decision means that farmers across the European Union will no longer be forced to keep a significant part of their land out of production and according to Jim Nicholson will help to relieve some of the pressures on Northern Ireland’s farmers and allay fears over food shortages.
Speaking from Strasbourg Mr Nicholson said,
“Following recent concerns over soaring animal feed prices I am glad to see that this measure has passed through the European Parliament and approved by EU farm Ministers. Cereal levels are now at dangerously low levels prompting fears that we could be facing food shortages over the coming months.
“This decision should be the first step in the total abolition of the EU’s set aside policy. Set-aside is an out of date policy that should have been abolished during the previous reforms to the CAP. The benefits to the environment that came from the original scheme are now covered, to a large extent, by rural development schemes and cross compliance.
“Abolishing set-aside will enable farmers to respond to the market, will keep food prices down and will help alleviate Europe’s growing food security problems.”