LUPG believes that Europe needs a CAP that is geared to encouraging and rewarding the supply of environmental services, helping rural communities to make the most of their environmental assets in a sustainable way.

We propose a progressive transformation of the CAP which will provide a sustainable justification for a “new contract” between taxpayers and those who manage rural land.

Our vision for the future will be launched in Brussels at 14.00 on March 30th at the Biblioteque Solvay, adjacent to the European Parliament. We are keen to explore the extent to which others share (or would like to challenge) our views and invite you to register for this event as soon as possible.

Speakers will include the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development as well as representatives from the European Landowners Organisation (ELO) and the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) as well as LUPG itself.

This will be an exciting opportunity to engage in the on-going debate on the future of the CAP post 2013. Following the plenary session, there will be a reception event with plenty of opportunities for further discussion in a relaxed atmosphere.

Space is limited, so please register your intention to participate by writing to Amanda.Gregory[at]jncc.gov.uk as soon as possible. We will then confirm your participation as quickly as we can.

Further details of this event, including a programme and a summary of the LUPG vision are available here.

We very much look forward to meeting you on 30th March - and anticipate taking part in a stimulating debate with a wide range of participants from across Europe

The Land Use Policy Group represents the GB statutory conservation, countryside and environmental agencies.