Brussels, 14/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - COPA (Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations in the EU) and COGECA (General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the EU) expressed their concern on Thursday 13 January at a European Commission report on medium-term prospects for agricultural markets which shows a sharp decline in EU market shares in the meat sector.
The organisations call for the economic production role of European farmers to be strengthened under the common agricultural policy (CAP) to maintain employment and economic viability in rural areas.
The Commission report forecasts a 23% fall in EU exports of meat (beef, pork and poultry), with a 14% increase in imports of beef and poultry from countries “which do not have to meet the same high standards as those in the EU,” says Pekka Pesonen, COPA-COGECA Secretary General. He says it is “unacceptable” that “EU output will remain under its full potential in all sectors as farmers will continue to be squeezed by high production costs which will limit the profitability of production”. He calls for the EU agriculture budget and direct payments to farmers to be at least maintained at their current levels. (L.C./transl.rt)