FARMERS in the south-west are being given the chance to tell local MEPs what they think of European policy for agriculture (CAP) at an event this week with the European Parliament.

Sowing the seeds of a new Common Agricultural Policy will take place tomorrow, Friday, from 12.30-3.30pm at the National Farmers Union (NFU) South West office in Exeter.

The event has been organised by the European Parliament in association with NFU South West and the Houses of Parliament Outreach Service. Feedback will be used to help develop and influence policy in areas such as agriculture, employment, regeneration and EU regional funding.

This is the first time the European Parliament has held an event of this kind in Exeter. It will give farmers, rural businesses and countryside organisations the opportunity to hear more about how the CAP is being reformed and to have their say on how current EU policies are affecting them.

Local south-west MEPs Julie Girling (Conservative) and Sir Graham Watson (Liberal Democrat) will debate the latest developments of the CAP reforms with representatives from the local farming and business community.

Discussions will also focus on other key issues affecting the south-west agricultural sector including bovine TB, Marine Protected Areas, the EU Water Framework Directive and the Nitrate Directive.

Julie Girling said: “The south-west farming sector is vital to our regional economy and it is essential we policy makers engage directly with farmers and other key stakeholders within our regions to enable us to get the absolute best for the British agricultural industry.

As the UK spokesperson for agriculture I am totally committed to getting the best deal from Brussels for British farmers.”

Sir Graham Watson said: “The rural economy is an integral part of the west country economy. Sixty per cent of the UK budget from the EU is spent on agriculture. I want to see that money better targeted towards small farms and making our rural communities flourish economically.

We need to be encouraging people to buy local, reducing our food miles and ensuring farming is sustainable for the long term.”

Alex Stevens, an advisor for NFU South West, said: “It would be unrealistic for us to expect the CAP to be exempt from the austerity measures that are having to be applied throughout the European Union but, whatever the size of the budget finally agreed, we want to hear assurances that it will be applied fairly across the EU and that simplicity rather than burdensome bureaucracy will characterise its application.

Specifically, we expect our farmers to be treated equitably with others in Europe to ensure they can operate on a level playing field.”

Those unable to attend the event will be able to follow the debate on Twitter and put questions to MEPs by using the hashtag #sowingseeds.