§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her priorities are for the reform of UK agricultural policy. [12079]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government want to see a sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food sector which contributes to a thriving and sustainable rural economy and advances environmental, economic, health and animal welfare goals. The independent Policy Commission on the future of farming and food, announced on 9 August, has been established to advise us on how to achieve these objectives.
One key policy objective is to secure further positive change to the common agricultural policy, framing much of our domestic agriculture policy. In particular, we want to see market price support and production controls phased out, with transitional support payments to help farmers to adjust. This should be complemented by a shift towards the "second pillar" of the CAP, expanding the resources available for targeted support for rural development and agri-environment schemes.