Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has said that MEPs will not be pushed around by the European Commission and Council of Ministers during the final stage of the CAP reform process.  Mr Nicholson made the comments as the trilogues – the negotiations between the European Parliament, Council and Commission - began in Brussels this week.

 Referring to the negotiations Jim said:  “The trilogues regarding the reform of the CAP commenced this week.  Although the Commission published its proposals some 18 months ago there continues to be a lack of consensus on several important aspects of the reform.  This is especially the case for the single CMO dossier where MEPs narrowly backed a position which seeks to greatly widen the role of intervention – I fear that these proposals would see a return to the era of beef mountains and milk lakes. 

 It is likely that the negotiations will go down to the wire with issues such as greening, so-called double funding, flexibility for governments to move money between the pillars and convergence being some of the most difficult aspects to find agreement on.  We must also remember that the EU’s long-term budget - the MFF - has yet to be finally agreed plus the size of the envelopes for each member state remains unknown.  

 There remains a lot of heavy lifting to do if political agreement can be reached by the end of June.  As a shadow rapporteur and through my role as an Agriculture Co-ordinator I will be one of the MEPs at the centre of the final negotiations and I will continue to work to help ensure a final package that can be implemented on the ground.” 

 Jim concluded by issuing a warning to the Commission and Council of Ministers saying:  “Because of co-decision MEPs now have a real say in the reform process and have an important part to play in shaping the final CAP package.  As we enter the home straight I want to make it clear to both the Commission and the Council of Ministers that MEPs will not roll-over or be pushed around.”