The end of a long road: farm reforms agreed with EU Member States, and Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme called into question as parliamentary inquiry into spying scandal continues.

Deal reached on farm reform / Spying inquiry

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/16391948/n001-130925-002-enx.srt

A historic moment  for the EU Common Agricultural Policy,

the area swallowing  the lion’s share of the budget.

Parliament has co-decision powers on this,  for the first time,

leading to tough negotiations  with Member States on farm reform.

We now have a greener,  less bureaucratic, rejuvenated CAP,

because for the first time obligatory subsidies  have been introduced for young European farmers.

But some environmental groups complained

that the opportunity to make farming  far greener was squandered.

Europe has the most  sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Member States should now define  the agri-environmental programmes.

where 60% of its agricultural land  benefits from agri-environmental measures.

CAP reform is due  for a final committee vote in September,

before coming to plenary in October or November.

including claims that international  bank transfer data has been accessed,

has left some MEPs debating  whether a key agreement on terrorist finance tracking

It's irrelevant whether  they have used the opportunity so far,

because they will continue  to reserve that right in the future.

So for me,  Chair, the agreement is effectively dead.

The Commission says  it needs more information.

But if the allegations were true,  the response should be unequivocal.

If those allegations are true,  then they constitute a breach of the agreement,

and a breach of the agreement  can certainly lead to a suspension.

MEPs heard from several experts  in this the third hearing

in the inquiry by the civil liberties committee,  including alarmed IT industry insiders.

I think this creates profoundly dangerous  and destabilising factors in democracy.

Because its means that public opinion  now has to consider

that there are other people with influence  in society looking over their shoulder.