MEPs are negotiating nearly 7,500 amendments on the future of Europe’s farm policy, with 40% of the EU budget at stake.

7,500 amendments to CAP reform

It’s the first time that  the Parliament has had an equal say

in the reform of  the Common Agricultural Policy

and it has resulted  in a record 7,415 amendments,

a number likely to rise as more committees  give their opinions. Too many, some say.

It is absolutely necessary  for us to handle this chaos.

If not, there is a risk that  we will drown in our own amendments.

The amendments reflect MEPs'  views on four reports,

on fairer distribution of funds to farmers,  protecting the environment,

market organisation  and rural development.

Under existing rules, any member  can table an amendment, and many do.

I have written about  a hundred amendments,

but I am the EPP group's responsible  for rural development in the negotiations.

A seminar for journalists –  it really is that complex.

The political groups try to negotiate  compromise amendments,

putting similar ideas into a single proposal  everyone can support.

and could threaten next summer’s deadline  for a deal with Member States.

We have a lot of contact with the Council  and it feels as if it’s going the right way,

so I’m quite optimistic about the timing  but quite worried about the budget.

That’s because the final decision on how  much will be available to spend on the CAP

depends on the outcome of a meeting in  November to set the budget for 2014-2020.

And the Cypriot Presidency is talking about  reducing the amount spent on the CAP.