GEORGE LYON’S report on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy has been endorsed by an overwhelming majority of MEPs voting in the European Parliament – 444 in favour, with only 88 against.

The document, compiled by Lib-Dem MEP Mr Lyon from discussions held within the Euro-parliament’s agriculture committee, sets out the principles and priorities that should guide the imminent reforms.

The report’s key principle was that the CAP should continue to provide food security. Above and beyond its social, economic and environmental aspects, the report insisted that the provision of food for Europe’s people had to remain at the heart of the policy.

Alongside that, the report suggested that there be no renationalisation of the CAP, continued strong support for LFA farming, and fair distribution of SFP budgets to member states. To this end, there will be a move from historic to area-based payments by 2020.

The committee also recommended simplification and greater transparency of CAP, along with a more proportional penalty system, and action to direct subsidies towards those who actively farm their land, rather than historic ‘slipper brigade’ claimants.

Ahead of the vote in Strasbourg, Mr Lyon and his committee cohorts had built what they described as a ‘grand coalition’ of MEPs willing to endorse their report, so the actual outcome came as no great surprise.

Now, Mr Lyon’s report faces its next hurdle as, with the Parliament’s backing, it goes forward to the civil servants of the European Commission, who will ultimately be responsible for formulating the next CAP reform package.

“We have resisted attempts by some to water down the package of reform and the report has emerged with a strong mandate for long overdue change,” said Mr Lyon.

“This is a European agreement, but it is also a good deal for Scotland. The strong stance taken by the European parliament will set the agenda for reform.”

Agriculture commissioner Dacian Ciolos commented: “I welcome this report. I know that George Lyon has put a lot of work into its preparation and I find his concepts very constructive.

“We will take these into account when we draft our communication on the future of the CAP which is due for publication in November.”

Agriculture Committee chairman, Paolo de Castro, added: “The big challenges for the future CAP are how we can produce more with less. To do this the CAP has to be more transparent and equitable, not just to farmers but society as a whole. This is what the Lyon report sets out and I congratulate George on his efforts.”

Responding to the vote, Scottish Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “This is another important step on the road towards the post-2013 CAP. With the Pack inquiry, Scotland is well placed to influence the debates that will take place over the coming months and years.

“The European Parliament’s position is one that has largely reflected the message from Scotland, but the key will be ensuring that the detail of the new CAP delivers for Scottish agriculture.”

Commenting on behalf of NFU Scotland, policy director Scott Walker said: “We welcome George Lyon’s report and the European Parliament’s decision to adopt it as the views of the European Parliament will be very important in shaping the CAP post 2013.

“While the pressure on the EU and its Member States’ budgets is greater than ever, it is also more important than ever that decision makers recognise the value of the CAP in providing EU citizens with a secure supply of affordable and safe food. In order to achieve this, the level of the budget will be critical so it is good news that the Parliament has said that the CAP budget should be at least maintained at its current level.

“It is also good news that MEPs have recognised that it is unacceptable that the EU imports food from countries whose production standards fall short of our own and yet can undermine EU producers on price. The report’s recommendation that this be resolved, along with clearer information to consumers should be welcomed by both farmers and consumers,” said Mr Walker.

“Overall, the direction of the Lyon report will be supported by many farmers, but our members will now be waiting to see the details that are contained within the Commission’s proposals later this year.”