CHAPTER 15: THE CONCEPT OF A REGION – SOCIO-ECONOMIC REGIONS The CAP helps reduce Europe’s reliance on imported food but has led to over-
production and the creation of ‘mountains’ and ‘lakes’ of surplus food and drink. Due to these problems the CAP is currently being reformed. Milk and other farm production quotas are being phased out. The arable ‘set-aside’ policy will also be removed. Up until recently farmers were leaving some land fallow to prevent surpluses accumulating but that land will now be put back into production. Conservationists say set-aside has been very beneficial for wildlife. The Common Fisheries Policy is the EU’s system for the management of fisheries
and aquaculture. It is funded by Structural funds. The CFP sets rules governing the size of fleets, the size of fish catches and how and where fishermen can operate. It also ensures fishermen get a fair price for their catch. The CFP is also responsible for research into fish stocks, regulating conservation of fish stocks, development of ports and fish processing plants as well as safety. Preventing illegal fishing is also an important part of fishery protection.
Fig. 17 The Common Fisheries Policy sets rules governing the management of fisheries and aquaculture in all EU member states.