Good points in European Commission’s recommendations to Estonian CAP strategic plan
European Commission unveiled the recommendations for the Member States’ CAP strategic plans o n 18th of December. This far however these haven't been much discussed, at least not in the public, so here is a modest assessment. At ELF, we have been critical more than once of the CAP and the Commissions role in it this far, but recommendations for Estonia are largely adequate. Indeed, many are in good accord with what Estonian environmental NGOs have suggested more than once. I have doubts about only a small number of recommendations. Outside of strictly environmental topics but still with a strong indirect environmental impact is the high concentration of Estonian agriculture and the CAP direct payments. The Commission proposes (page 2, heading 1.1) a more targeted support from the CAP in favour of small and medium-sized farms. Following this advice would also benefit the environment, since industrialisation of farming threatens air and water quality, while abandonment of HNV farm...