McLaren attacks Darling's 'simplistic' stance on Cap

Published on Wednesday 14 May 2008 20:18

ALISTAIR Darling, the Chancellor, has recently written to all his fellow EU finance ministers ahead of the forthcoming discussions on minor reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy, calling for an end to all direct payments and a new focus of food inflation and security of supplies.

Jim McLaren, president of NFU Scotland, views Darling's approach as highly counter-productive. He said: "I find it remarkable that as we are about to enter negotiations of Cap reform the Treasury would undermine the UK government's credibility by making suggestions which are far out of touch with reality. Going into important deliberations on this basis make the UK look like a voice in the wilderness.

"Darling has slipped back into the simplistic 'scrap the Cap' mindset. There is a perfectly justifiable debate to be had over the role of import tariffs.

"However, it is complete hypocrisy to push for a trade deal which takes no account of food production standards and would actually damage the very businesses in this country going the extra mile to deliver public benefit.

McLaren has the reputation of being able to see the bigger picture, and he is clearly at odds with the UK government on Cap reform.

He said: "The irony is that UK Treasury policy on the future of the Cap is more likely to cause food inflation and food security problems than address them."