THE NFU has organised a series of meetings to update members on the outcome of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform talks.

The meetings will also help to gather views that will inform NFU policy in the months ahead as attention turns to how Defra will implement the new policy.

NFU senior CAP adviser Gail Soutar and other union officials and officeholders will be at the meetings, which are being held across the region.

Meetings will be at the regional office, Telford, at 2pm and at Rodbaston Hall, South Staffordshire College, Rodbaston Campus, Penkridge, at 7.30pm, on Tuesday, July 30.

Further meetings will be at the Jersey Pavilion, Stoneleigh Park, at 2pm and the Hawford YFC Centre, Worcester, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 31.

Members are welcome to attend any of the meetings.

Ms Soutar said: “After 21 months of negotiating, the European decision-makers have just about come to a final agreement on the future of the CAP.

“There are some outstanding issues which will have to be hammered out in the autumn but, by and large, the future CAP framework has now been set at the European level, albeit with lots of flexibilities for Defra to choose from.

“Within that framework there are some significant changes to the CAP support and new elements that we want our members to be aware of.

“We also want to make sure NFU members have the opportunity to shape those changes before they come into force in England from January 1, 2015.”

Members will hear about the new basic payment scheme, a new young farmers’ top-up scheme, new environmental rules which will unlock a new “greening aid” and a raft of optional schemes that Defra could choose to implement.

John Mercer, NFU regional director, said: “The meetings will also be an opportunity for members to express their concerns and to continue to inform NFU policy on these important issues.”

For further details contact the regional office on 01952 400500.

The NFU provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.