AT A recent European Union Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) meeting, member state experts discussed the current situation regarding implementing the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules by January 1 2015.
Several member states expressed serious reservations over implementing the new policy, which includes new rules on greening, the active farmer test, a shift away from the historic payment model and, in some countries, coupled aids.
It is understood that a first draft of a Presidency paper will be discussed at the next SCA meeting on Monday highlighting those concerns.
The paper will shape a European Council conclusions document designed to be available before Christmas.
It will call for greater simplification, clarity on the methods used to calculate error rates and a better administrative system to reduce the need for on-the-spot inspections.
Most importantly, the paper will call for tolerance in the first few years of the new CAP rules.
Separately, Arla farmers are to have their milk price slashed by 1.63p per litre (ppl) from December 1, when the new price of a standard litre will be 26.84p.
MARKET ROUND-UP
UNITED Auctions sold 439 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to top of 272.2 pence per kilogramme and an average of 217.1p (+0.3p on the week).
Meanwhile the 347 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at a price of 315.8p and then levelled at 219p (-6.4p).
One-hundred-and-fifteen store, B&W bullocks sold to 215.1p and averaged 147.3p (+1.3p).
Meanhile, the 35 store bulls peaked at 266.8p and levelled at 193.1p.
Over in the rough ring the 217 cows on sale there averaged 115.4p.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 18 prime cattle forward in Dumfries on Wednesday.
The heifers sold to 237.5p and averaged 218.3p, while the bullocks peaked at 225.5p and then evelled at 218.5p.
There were 103 OTM (Over Thirty Month) cattle presented in the rough ring when the beef cows averaged 119.8p and the dairy cows then levelled at 88.8p.
The firm also sold 1,194 prime lambs to a top of £83 per head and 205p per kg to average 181.6p (+3.2p). The 315 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £105 for Texels and average £75.45 (-£4).
Meanwhile, light ewes peaked at £72 for Blackfaces and levelled at £54.38 (+£4.65).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1,228 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £100 and 219.5p to average 174.2p (+3.1p).
There were also 244 cast sheep forward when the ewes sold to £97 for Beltex and £65.50 for Blackfaces.
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