Welsh farmers hope Franz Fischler takes account of their concerns

The European agriculture commissioner Franz Fischler was speaking during a visit to the Royal Welsh Show on Thursday.

Mr Fischler is the architect of plans to shake up the existing common agricultural policy (CAP) - the system which hands out subsidies to farmers across Europe.

However, the agreement between Europe's agriculture ministers has been criticised for lacking in detail.

On Thursday, the two Welsh farming unions - the National Farmers' Union and the Farmers' Union of Wales - are meeting Mr Fischler, and will question him about the changes.

But Mr Fischler said the changes will cut bureaucracy, and reward farmers for managing the land responsibly.

Critics say subsidies lead to mountains of unneeded food

"It gives [farmers] more opportunity to produce quality and shift to more quality-orientated production," he said.

"Most importantly, it is absolutely clear for the future that farmers are rewarded for the job they are doing about the maintenance of the landscapes, a good environment, animal welfare and so on."

Under his planned reforms, Europe's farmers would still be subsidised.

But they would receive a one-off payment instead of having the subsidies linked to the quantity of food produced.

The new agreement contains a get-out clause that means the old system can continue if there is a risk of farmers abandoning the land.

Mr Fischler's visit to Wales' premier agricultural event in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells, is his first.

A blueprint for rural Wales which will have widespread significance possibly for decades to come MEP Jonathan Evans on CAP reform

He is meeting the UK and Welsh presidents of the NFU, Ben Gill and Peredur Hughes, and the new head of the FUW, Gareth Vaughan.

He was invited by Welsh MEP Jonathan Evans, who leads British Conservatives in the European Parliament.

Mr Evans said the commissioner was coming at a time when the structure of farming and rural life was facing great change.

"Mr Fischler has not been to Wales for a few years and we will use this opportunity of underlining once more to him the importance of the closest links between Wales and Europe," he said.

'Widespread significance'

"The EU agriculture council is currently discussing the CAP mid-term review.

"The outcome of this will bring forward a blueprint for rural Wales which will have widespread significance."

Welsh Environment, Planning and Countryside Minister, Carwyn Jones, said the Welsh Assembly Government planned to consult Welsh farmers over the CAP reforms.

He said: "It is important for the future of farming in Wales that we look closely at the reform package so we can implement change that delivers advantage to our farmers and to Wales."

And Gareth Vaughan, President of the Farmers Union of Wales, said the union was pleased to have discussed the CAP reforms with Mr Fischler at the Royal Welsh.

"The Commissioner recognised the importance of farming on the environment and the social and cultural sustainability of rural areas," said Mr Vaughan.

"I welcome the fact that he gave our concerns a sympathetic hearing and that he was prepared to take time out of his busy schedule to visit Wales.