Copa & Cogecas optimistic about this years’ EU oilseeds harvest

Newly elected Chairman of Copa & Cogecas Oilseeds Working Party Arnaud Rousseau is optimistic about this years’ EU oilseeds harvest, mainly as result of favourable weather conditions.
 
Speaking in Brussels today after his re-election, Mr Rousseau from France said “Copa & Cogeca estimates show EU-28 oilseeds production is quite promising this year, forecast to reach around the same level as last year at over 30. 5 mt. The area sown is also up slightly. This is mainly due to favourable sowing conditions and a mild Winter this season. But the next month will be crucial to determine the yield potential”.
 
“We still have serious concerns too about the lack of plant protection products (PPPs) to fight against pests and disease which will also put pressure on production levels. Farmers frequently suffer from cabbage stem flea beetle attacks on their rapeseed crop mainly due to the suspension of neonicotinoid seed treatments. They are also worried about not being able to use effective PPPs on Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) and urge European Parliament and EU Ministers to make sure that this option will still be available to them when they scrutinize the proposed delegated act on simplification of greening measures under the CAP. Otherwise, around one million hectares of protein crops production will be jeopardized”, he warned. For details of the figures, please see GOL(17)767 (rev.2) : http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=1633978&fmt=pdf GOL(17)768 (rev.2) : http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=1633982&fmt=pdf
 
“At the same time, EU soya production is growing because EU farmers have a good incentive to do so. This demonstrates the conflicting signals sent by EU policies. Today, European oilseeds producers need stability to avoid an extreme reaction”, he concluded.
 
Mr Rousseau is an arable farmer from France as well as President of the French Oilseeds Organisation (FOP), President of Avril group and President of FDSEA of Seine and Marne and member of the French Farmers Organisation FNSEA.