European Union ministers have today approved the Commission’s
proposal to
set the obligatory set-aside rate at 0% for autumn
2007 and spring 2008 sowings.
The unanimous decision was in response to increasingly tight
cereals supplies and it is predicted to lead to a 10m tonne
increase in next year’s cereals harvest.
Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural
Development, welcomed the announcement: "I'm delighted that the
European Parliament and EU farm ministers were able to take such a
quick decision.
“This will allow farmers to plan in good time for next year's
harvest. It will hopefully boost production by at least 10 million
tonnes and release some of the pressure on the market.”
The longer-term future of the set-aside system will form part of
the debate to be kicked-off by the Communication on the
CAP 'Health Check' on 20 November.
“Now we are looking ahead to the CAP Health Check where we will
look at whether set-aside is still an appropriate tool,” Mrs
Fischer Boel added. “Of course we want to ensure that we retain the
environmental benefits it has brought."
