LUFPIG is a unique MEP-led intergroup of politicians that interacts regularly with the agri-business community. For nearly 20 years LUFPIG has brought together MEPs from across the European Parliament whose work is affected by the operation of agriculture and food policy.

Our aim is to provide a forum for debate for those players in the various policy areas who do not normally interact with politicians. As an intergroup on the boundaries of Parliamentary Committees dealing with issues from budgets, to international trade, development, the environment and consumer issues, in addition to agriculture, LUFPIG is well placed to do this.

It was created to bring together MEPs from different policy areas who, whilst not all agricultural specialists, could see the impact of the CAP on the issues they were involved in. At the outset, the debate was centred around the funding of the CAP with MEPs insisting that it be cut. However, the consensus opinion soon emerged that issues other than money would form the crux of successful reform and the Intergroup's remit broadened quickly to encompass areas relating to external trade, development, environment, food policy and consumer issues.

In advance of the 1992 Agricultural Reforms, LUFPIG commissioned a study from six leading European agricultural economists, led by Professors Tangermann and Marsh. They concluded that agricultural production must be de-coupled from subsidies and they suggested the introduction of an 'income bond scheme' for farmers to replace production subsidies. These ideas are still at the forefront of Commission thinking on CAP reform and formed the basis for the recent reform introducing decoupled income payments across Europe.

Agricultural reform has advanced considerably since the Tangermann/Marsh report was written. It is now generally recognised that despite the successes of the CAP, many of its subsequent problems are inherent to its success and require further reform. The basis of the Intergroup's philosophy remains that European agricultural policy must be economically viable, transparent and environmentally sustainable. This is still to be achieved in full.

LUFPIG will continue to address these issues in the Parliamentary term 2009-2014. The emphasis of reform however, has now shifted from the CAP in general to its application in terms of trade, development, environment and food policy. It is therefore in these areas that LUFPIG is focussing its attention. As this reform runs its course LUFPIG will continue as a forum not bound by the constraints of formal committees and protocols and an excellent arena in which stakeholders and policy makers are able to explore new ideas.