Conference over CAP reveals gulf
It was called by the European commissioner for agriculture and rural affairs, Dacian Ciolos of Rumania, who is due to produce a discussion paper in November to kick off hard negotiations.
The NFU's delegate, Tom Hind, head of economics and international affairs, said: "We heard a lot about the social role of agriculture and how the sector needs to do more to deliver public environmental goods.
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Hide Ad"These are important issues but there appeared precious little recognition that farming is first and foremost an economic sector that wants to prosper in the market place.
"The Commissioner faces a massive challenge in reconciling the differences of opinion across the EU."