Copa and Cogeca welcome MEPs calls to boost EU budget

Copa and Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said “It is good news that European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee adopted the opinion by MEP Sofia Ribeiro on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) which calls for an increase in Member States budget contribution to above 1.0% of Gross National Income (GNI). We support MEPs calls for new money to be found to finance both old and new priorities”. 
 
“I am pleased to see that they want no cuts in the EU’s farm budget and want to maintain direct payments to farmers. Like Copa and Cogeca, they do not want to see renationalization of CAP rules”, Pesonen added. “Member States need to increase their budget contributions in order to enable the CAP to fulfil its role in helping farmers to provide sustainable food supplies at affordable prices for consumers at the same time as keeping rural areas vibrant”, Pesonen stressed. 
 
Copa and Cogeca urge Parliaments Budget Committee and the full set of MEPs to support their demands.