Lyon meeting Agriculture Ministers in key European capitals

10.09.53am GMT Wed 20th Jan 2010

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, will visit a number of European capitals to hear views of Ministers, farmers and industry bodies on the future shape of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

One of his main priorities on the visits is to identify where there are shared concerns so that Scotland can build alliances with key member states ahead of the CAP discussions.

Commenting, Mr Lyon said:

"It is vital that Scotland identifies other countries that have similar problems and concerns about the future direction of the CAP well before the tough negotiations begin in earnest.

"On issues such as "active farmers", "naked acres" the size and distribution of the CAP budget and many other key Scottish concerns, we need to know who will be arguing for the changes we want, make common cause with them and build strong alliances if we are to bring about real change.

"Over the coming weeks and months I will be meeting with Agriculture Ministers from across Europe in order to find those potential allies.

"This is the first step in what most knowledgeable commentators predict will be a long and extremely difficult road to decide the future direction of CAP."

END

Notes:

George Lyon will be meeting with:

German Agriculture Minister - 18th January 2010

French Agriculture Minister - 21st and 22nd January 2010

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister - 1st February 2010

Republic of Ireland Agriculture Minister - 4th February 2010

Nordic Countries representatives (Sweden, Finland, Denmark) - First week in March