Video introduction to the Common Agricultural Policy

I remember my geography teacher describing the CAP as ‘the most boring topic to cover in the whole A-Level’, and I do sympathise with that point of view, so in an attempt to liven it up- and to save me from having to explain it, I’ve made a 7 minute video which should provide a good enough introduction to the basics of the CAP.

The video covers all the key points students need to know, including the origins of the CAP and the desire for self-sufficiency, the five objectives of the CAP, the key policies used in its implementation, and the resulting problems in the form of butter mountains, etc. It then moves on to look at the McSharry reforms, and finishes with a BBC News clip looking at the future of the CAP. I’ve uploaded it to youtube here for anyone to use. If you’d rather have it downloaded to your computer (I know I generally do), then I suggest using zamzar- it can easily copy almost any youtube clip to windows media video for you.
I generally use this as an introduction to some of the key points and then get the students to do presentations on the CAP- there’s loads of information out there and it’s a good topic for them to develop their research and presentation skills on.
Finally, apologies for the very cheesy music! Enjoy!