12/10/2011

On the day reforms are announced for farmers' subsidies, supporters defend them as vital to the industry whilst critics ask why the CAP hasn't already been scrapped.

Last year £3.5 billion was claimed by farmers, landowners and businesses in support payments from the Common Agricultural Policy in the UK .

The National Farmers Union is expecting many changes in the policy, from the the amount of money that can be claimed to what needs to be achieved on the farm in order to qualify for the payments. Whilst some environmental groups are concerned that in the middle of an EU financial crisis, member states may turn away from funding for encouraging wildlife. The RSPB says farmers should continue to receive financial rewards for green schemes on their land. Critics, however, say that the scheme should have been scrapped already and it comes at too high a cost to support the industry.

Meanwhile, Caz Graham is in the hills above Kendal in Cumbria meeting the farmers who are painting their rams ahead of the 'tup'.

Presenter: Anna Hill; Producer: Angela Frain.