Ahead of talks between MEPs and EU Farm Commissioner Hogan in Strasbourg Monday night, Copa and Cogeca underline measures needed to help end the EU agricultural crisis and call on the EU to act.
Copa and Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen warned “There are currently protests all across Europe. Many producers are going under hit by serious cash flow problems, with market prices not even covering input costs. They lost their main export market to Russia worth 5.1 billion euros due to international politics. Input prices are spiraling out of control especially fertilizer costs and the collapse in oil prices is hitting commodity prices badly”.
Outlining the measures, he said “In response to this unprecedented crisis, we want to re-open the Russian market, accelerate trade negotiations with Japan, step up promotion measures and use export credit insurance. With few tools left, we need to strengthen measures used to manage the market including a temporary rise in the EU dairy intervention price and extend private storage aid (PSA) for pork and dairy products. Market tools for the fruit and vegetables sector must be reviewed as well as the minimum entry price for tomato imports to the EU. Unfair practices along the food chain so that farmers get a better return for their produce need to be tackled so they are not treated unfairly by retailers. The cost of inputs can be cut by lifting import duties, especially for fertilisers, as shown in a new report released this week. We need more loan/debt relief for investments from the European Investment Bank, state aid, and an adjustment of the ceiling for de minimis aid. Member States also need to make full use of tools under EU rural development policy and national schemes to help farmers better manage risk”.
Next steps: Copa and Cogeca will go to Strasbourg Monday to meet MEPs and Commissioner Hogan to press our demands. We understand that the Commission is analysing the possibility of introducing export credit insurance and fully liberalising the market for fertilisers. Copa and Cogeca Presidents have also sent a letter to the Commission High Representative Ms Mogherini to step up efforts to open dialogue with Russia.We urge MEPs, Commissioner Hogan and Farm Ministers to confront the crisis head on and ensure farmers have a viable future capable of meeting growing demand and solving hunger and malnutrition. We will step up pressure until Ministers next meet on March 14.
