Among the Members of the European Parliament are a group of farmers and others with agricultural interests who benefit directly from the subsidies provided for in the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The fact that many of them are at the forefront of negotiations to map out the reform of the CAP, to be put to a vote during this week, raises a clear question of conflicts of interest. Amélie Poinssot reports.
Should a person who benefits from public subsidies also be allowed to negotiate and vote on the amount of those subsidies? While such a situation clearly raises questions of a conflict of interest, it does not appear to be an issue that troubles the European Parliament.
