Opening the event “The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): ensuring food security and energy for life” in Milan, Harry Sinclair, Copa Vice-President said “European farmers are committed to producing safe, quality and nutritious food for consumers worldwide. They are doing this in a sustainable manner but face many challenges that threaten their economic viability leading to a reduction in on-farm investment and innovation”.
“The Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) must provide innovative tools for farmers to deliver these goods and services to society at the same time as ensuring a fair income for farmers. There is a clear need to have long term agricultural policies that ensure competitiveness and are market orientated at the same time as securing a fair and adequate income for farmers as stated in the EU treaties”, he added.
In particular, measures included in both pillars of the CAP must be used in a coordinated and complementary manner to achieve good implementation of the CAP. What we need is simplification, less red tape, more flexibility and targeted measures including financial instruments for young farmers. These are fundamental to overcome the current crisis in the agricultural sector. Market problems such as the extreme volatility need a new set of measures to deal with them as well as stronger partnerships to share the risks in the value chain.
Sustainable food production alongside an efficient use of resources were considered as crucial elements to ensure the competitiveness of the sector at the same time as providing for environmental protection. Tools to help protect farmers against risks , advisory services and producer organisations are key measures for the sector to help recover its economic profitability.
Wrapping up, Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen stated: “The sector needs to focus on the market and use the opportunities that it provides to respond to an increased food demand as a result of an increasing world population. The farming community need a fair price and fair income for the public good and services they deliver to society.”
