Local MEP Brian Simpson has accused MEP’s from the Conservatives, Lib/Dems and UKIP of abandoning sustainable rural development in the North West, in favour of rich farmers in the South of England.

Mr Simpson was reacting angrily to a vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, when his attempt to obtain 4.4 billion Euros for the UK for Rural Development was scuppered by a coalition of right-wing parties and French farmers.  Mr Simpson stated:-

“We had an opportunity here to reform the Common Agricultural Policy and to ensure that money was put not into subsidy production, but into real sustainable rural development, taking us up to 2013.  Now, because of an unholy alliance of continental farmers and certain MEP’s, this reform is in doubt.” 

After the vote, the UK Government indicated that unless the system of voluntary modulation, supported by Mr Simpson is adopted, the UK will be unable to finalise its rural development strategy and may have to close down rural development schemes, including the Environmental Stewardship to new applicants.

“People talk a lot about CAP reform, but when we have an opportunity to push forward essential reform, our political opponents fail to act!  Sustainable rural development is essential in our region, particularly to those farmers living on subsistence, or farming in difficult conditions; and particularly in our quest to protect the countryside and the rural environment” commented Mr Simpson.

Both the UK Government and the European Commission are pushing for up to 20% of CAP to be available via the Voluntary modulation to sustainable rural development, but this is now being blocked by the European Parliament’s vote.  Mr Simpson now hopes that the Council of Ministers and the European Commission ignore the Parliament’s vote and push ahead regardless.

“I have no doubt that this is a vote to protect rich southern and continental farmers, at the expense of the North West and at the expense of proper sustainable rural development” concluded Mr Simpson.