WESTMORLAND and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins has joined the critical chorus against the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs over a lack of research into the impact of Common Agricultural Policy reforms.

In a parlimentary answer, Rural Affairs minister Alun Michael said he did not know what impact the introduction of the new Single Farm Payment from next year would have on livestock numbers in Cumbria.

"The impact of decoupling on production patterns and livestock numbers is very difficult to assess," he said. "There are several studies that examine this at the UK level but there are no assessments by county."

Mr Michael's comment adds to concerns highlighted by a critical report from Defra's parliamentary watchdog, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee released last month.

The report said the introduction of the English single farm payment model as a result of CAP reform was not properly thought through and seemed to have been based on "pragmatism and political expediency".

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