Proposals for the future CAP: a joint position from the European Landowners’ Organization and BirdLife International

BirdLife International and ELO signed a joint proposal for the future of the CAP. Zoom In

BirdLife International and ELO launched their joint policy paper, ‘Proposals for the future CAP: a joint position from the European Landowners’ Organisation and BirdLife International”. The document was presented by Paolo De Castro, Chairman of the European Parliament Agriculture Committee, Thierry de l’Escaille, ELO Secretary General, and Angelo Caserta, Regional Director of BirdLife International’s European Division.

The two organisations believe food security and environmental challenges can only be met by a European policy with commensurate budget resources - and that a reformed CAP could be up to the task.

The organisations envision a CAP based on a new contractual approach whereby farmers and land managers are rewarded for the delivery of public goods. EU citizens need proper land management that delivers rich biodiversity and healthy ecosystems and a farming sector capable of maintaining food production on the long term by making wise use of natural resources.

Special attention must be given to High Nature Value farming systems such as extensive grazing of marginal lands that are often at risk of abandonment.

Land managers and conservationists also agree that key features of the new policy must be based on current rural development measures making use of the experience gained in agri-environmental schemes.

Thierry de l’Escaille said that both organisations see a continuing role for a European policy and budget to help achieve Food and Environmental Security (FES) and added that the CAP must change to meet this century’s emerging challenges: the growing demand for food, dangers of global warming and threats to Europe’s biodiversity and environmental quality.

Angelo Caserta, Regional Director of BirdLife International stated that the current system needed to be overhauled to properly reward farmers for the environmental benefits they provide and which are so vitally important for both for our embattled wildlife and for our own long term wellbeing.

Download the Proposals for the future CAP here.