Local SNP MSP Derek Mackay has welcomed the launch of an online consultation to allow people to have their say on the European Commission's proposals for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

This is a valuable opportunity for people to ensure their views are heard on CAP reform which would have far-reaching consequences for the whole of Scotland.
 
The consultation covers a wide range of issues relating to the European proposals for the future CAP. People can complete as much of the consultation as is relevant to them and paper copies of the consultation are also available for anyone without internet access.
 
The consultation follows a Scotland-wide series of roadshows, which concludes this week, designed to allow people to find out more about CAP reform.
 
Commenting Mr Mackay said:
 
"It's vital for Scotland that the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy delivers what we need - a fair, flexible system that targets support at active farmers, allowing them to continue producing quality food and managing our magnificent countryside.
 
"Ensuring we get a fair deal for Scotland is crucially important, especially for our farmers and wider rural communities.
 
"That's why we have been engaging extensively to ensure that those who are going to feel the effects of the future CAP have the chance to air their views. The consultation which is being launched today is an important part of this process and follows hard on the heels of the CAP reform information roadshows. I know that many people appreciated the opportunity to have the proposals, and their potential implication for Scotland, explained so clearly.
 
"The consultation has been designed to make it easy for people to offer their views on the reform proposals, helping to inform future negotiations.  It's available online - in bite-sized chunks - which I hope will encourage more people to participate - as well as in the more traditional format.
 
"A second, more detailed, consultation on how the future CAP should be implemented in Scotland will be held further into the reform process but in the meantime I hope as many people as possible will let us know what they think of the current proposals that will set out the general shape of the future CAP."
 
Background
 
The consultation is available here:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/01/7299
 
Direct links to the online consultation are available here:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/01/7299/4
 
For paper copies of the consultation, please call: 0300 244 9254.
 
The latest information on CAP reform is available at www.scotland.gov.uk/capreform, by signing up for the rural newsletter or following the Scottish Government CAP reform blog:
http://blogs.scotland.gov.uk/cap-reform/
 
A four-part podcast which outlines the details of the European proposals and their impact on Scotland is available to download here:
http://soundcloud.com/scotgov/sets/cap-refom/
 
A powerpoint presentation, which can be viewed alone or in conjunction with the podcast, is available here:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/CAP/cap-resources