The move comes in preparation for release at the end of the year of an EU Commission Strategy to promote agriculture products, like potatoes. The issue was discussed in the working party after Mr Delacour from France, who is also a potato producer, was re-elected as Chairman for a two year term. Mr Delacour is also a member of FNSEA and trained as an agriculture engineer.
Other priorities in the coming year including making progress on the EU Commission report on minor uses and speciality crops like potatoes set to be released at the end of February 2014 after inter-service consultation. Copa-Cogeca is calling for an ambitious and permanent programme at EU level to be set up on minor uses and speciality crops, to find solutions to the increasing lack of plant protection products for these products. In addition, Mr Delcour aims to make progress on new legislation on reproductive vegetal material as EU seed potatoes are exported throughout the world. A strong certification regime must be kept to maintain the EU high quality seed potatoes.
The working party went on to assess the market situation which is relatively positive this season, with production up 4.2% on last years levels in the 5 biggest potato producing countries but still lower than the five year average.
