Remit
Background
The Committee considered the European Commission’s proposed reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and took evidence on how these may affect Scotland at meetings on 14 September, 23 and 30 November 2011, and the 7 and 14 March 2012. The Committee also held a debate in the Chamber of the Parliament, in January 2012, on the issue of the reforms.
The Committee began its scrutiny by taking evidence from Struan Stevenson MEP, and Ian Hudghton MEP. This was followed by a roundtable session with stakeholders and then evidence from Alyn Smith MEP and George Lyon MEP, both of whom sat on the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. The Committee then questioned the UK Minister of State for Agriculture and Food and, finally, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment.
The Committee wrote to the UK Government and Scottish Government (copied to the Westminster Committees); the European Commissioner; and the European Parliament’s agriculture committee outlining the Committee’s views. This can be found in the report section of this page.
Evidence
Oral evidence
The Committee took oral evidence at its meetings on 23, 30 November 2011, 7 and 14 March 2012
Read the meeting papers and the Official Report (2011)
Read the meeting papers and the Official Report (2012)
Report
The Committee published its findings on 27 April 2012. This can be read at the following link:
The following responses have been received in relation to the Committee's report:
Additional Information
On 12 June 2012, the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs attended the Committee to give evidence on the Common Agricultural Policy (and neonicotinoids).
The Committee agreed to write to the Secretary of State with follow up questions from this session. Read the letter here: