PRESIDENTS of the four UK farming unions were in Brussels this week on a major lobbying offensive.

Lack of detail on CAP implementation, availability of plant protection products, the Russian ban and ongoing trade negotiations were top of their agendas.

Meurig Raymond, NFU President, hosted a dinner for UK and European MEPs. He said: “MEPs will be challenging Commissionerdesignate Phil Hogan on October 2.

We have an excellent opportunity to work with MEPs to influence how the Parliament plans to shape the new Commissioner’s political priorities for the next five years.

“The EU’s approach on plant protection products is already manifesting itself on the ground. Farmers are struggling to establish crops such as oilseed rape, attacked by pests previously controlled by protection products now banned by the EU.

“While the rest of the world embraces science-based solutions, the EU grapples with a highly-charged debate on the application of modern technology in farming. I want to see the EU’s decisions based on science and not emotion.”

Nigel Miller, president of NFU Scotland, said the new CAP begins on January 1, but details were still unknown. He said: “Cropping plans were made a long time ago and crops are in the ground. Officials don’t seem to grasp just how much uncertainty and confusion remains.”