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EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
Defra: Farming Minister, Jeff Rooker, has announced the publication of the UK's response to the European Commission's consultation on the next round of Common Agricultural Policy reform, the CAP ‘Health Check’, which is being negotiated this year. Five years on from the major CAP reform of 2003, it represents the next significant round of reform.
The European Commission published a consultative ‘Communication’ on 20 November and the response represents the views of the UK Government and the Governments of the Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on what the Health Check reform should deliver.
The Commission intends to publish its legislative proposals for the reforms on 20 May. The French, who will hold the Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2008, aim to negotiate agreement by the end of the year.
Press release ~ Response ~ Defra – CAP reform ~ NFU opinion ~ CAP Reform - Agriculture and Rural Development - EUROPA
ScotGov: Enterprise Minister Jim Mather has welcomed the decision to award £158m to 153 projects in Lowlands and Uplands Scotland through the 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF).
The next opportunity for projects to bid for funding in Lowlands & Upper Scotland will be later this year. An announcement on successful projects from the 1st round in the Highlands & Islands will be made shortly.
