Farmers hit out at proposed EU reforms

(AP) The European Commission proposed a drastic overhaul of the EU's massive farm support programme on Wednesday but came under immediate attack from farmers, environmentalists and even the United Nations.

The EU's executive Commission is seeking to make the €53 billion ($73 billion) annual program that absorbs almost half the EU budget greener, more efficient and fairer to the new member states from central and eastern Europe by re-targeting subsidies and support.

Among the raft of proposals is one that would put part of the funds aside for farmers who meet standards of sustainability and environmental protection. It also wants farmers to leave at least 7 percent of land fallow for ecological purposes. The plans also cap the amount of money that can be given to any one farm at €300,000.

Farmers complained that the proposals would lead to unnecessary bureaucracy, while also restricting their production even as the global population and food demands expand.

Environmentalists said the proposals were insufficient to protect the environment and meet the challenges of climate change.

A U.N. human rights expert said the proposals will continue to distort the global market because subsidised farmers are able to sell food more cheaply, at the expense of poorer nations.

The proposals will now go to member states and the EU parliament before they can be approved, which could take a year.