EU: Maltsters and grain growers have met to discuss the possible effects of the European Union�s common agricultural policy change on cereal supplies, Business Scotsman revealed on December 9. Effectively, farmers� union leaders asked the Maltsters Association of Great Britain to give "clear and positive" price signals to farmers who, from next year, do not have to grow grain to get a single farm payment.

David Houghton, NFU Scotland�s combinable crops chairman, said on December 8 that their case has been given added weight by a forecast 20 % drop in England�s winter barley area. There could be a similar slump in Scotland if malting prices stay low. Houghton said that maltsters shared farmers� concerns: "They, too, face price pressure further up the chain. But they can do what farmers can�t and pass their costs down. If we don�t receive a price that reflects production costs and allows for reinvestment, what do we gain by another year of cereal growing?�