The first step towards a social Europe: CAP must go

By Tim Nicholls

A few days ago, Michael Green encouraged us all to make a case for a social Europe. It would be a Europe based on a purer, non-neo-liberal form of globalisation: in other words, a form with which the original architects of the globalist regime would be more familiar. He was absolutely right and there is one place that the discussion should begin that would cut to the heart of the issue: the Common Agricultural Policy.

Let me preface this article by refuting the neo-liberal dogma that all subsidies are trade-distorting and immoral. It is patently not true and the hypocrisy of holding such a position (protecting the CAP and attacking developing nations’ subsidies) is obvious. The truth is that subsidies can allow emerging industries to find their feet in order to compete globally. They can stimulate new areas for development and create world leaders in industry. They can help feed the poor and the hungry.

But the CAP does precisely none of these things.

Whilst the global regime of subsidy regulation may be kindly described as an utter mess, it remains obvious to the most casual of observers, that the CAP is outdated and is, worst of all, hurting each and every one of us. By guaranteeing farmers a set price for their goods, the CAP makes food more expensive. As a left-wing globalist, I see the ability of globalisation to feed the poor at home and abroad as its best attribute, but here special interests are getting in the way. With nearly 3 million children living in poverty in the UK, why are we making it more expensive to put food on the table?

Those who seek to justify the CAP claim that it is vital to support European farmers from international competition. Set aside the fact that the main beneficiaries of the CAP are large agri-business corporations, the notion that small farm owners are being protected any longer is flawed. The guaranteed income for produce has pushed up the value of farms to such an extent that new individual farmers are priced out of the market.

Perhaps, when it was brought in, the CAP had some virtue. But the interests have changed from supporting struggling small-time farmers to shoring up the profits of massive corporations, to the financial detriment of European citizens.

The CAP is fertile ground for the Left: its failings go straight to the heart of everything we believe. Although noises were made at the last renegotiation, the UK backed down and the policy remains.

The European elections showed that the electorate did not know what Labour believes about Europe. By denouncing the CAP for what it is and pushing harder than before for its removal, Labour could make a policy as dull-sounding as agricultural subsidisation resonate properly with the voters and take the first step down the path towards a social Europe.