The future of the CAP

Interesting and informative article in The Economist looking at the future of the CAP: CAP

Debate on future on CAP launched

The European Commission has launched a debate on the future of the CAP. Judging by the remarks made by EU farm commissioner Dacian Ciolos to the European Parliament, one of his main concerns is to engender broader public understanding of and support for the CAP. But if you want to take part in the debate, you should go here: Debate

Foot dragging US damages Global South cotton farmers

An interesting study from the ICTSD finds that US cotton subsidies continue to damage farmers in the Global South. Ths US dragged its feet, only acting at the last possible moment to implement a WTO disputes settle mechanism decision. It could do more by cutting domestic subsidies, but it is not surprising that it fails to do so given the political influence exercised by southern cotton-producing states. More here: Cotton

The ICTSD has also done a study of how a trade deal would affect countries importing and exporting cotton: Trade

Commission announces plan for animal health law

The European Commission has announced plans for a new EU Animal Health Law: Animal Health . The law was anticipated in the Animal Health Strategy in 2007 with the objective of securing a single and simplified horizontal legal framework.

Promnoting animal welfare is, of course, a key aspect of a 'public goods' oriented CAP and there is need to move from dealing with animal disease outbreaks to stopping them happening in the first place.

The big question is: who pays? The EU proposes to review spending in the veterinary field with the intention of coming to conclusions in time for the review of post-2013 spending plans. However, member states and farmers will also be expected to contribute.