Brussels, 12/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - In the context of the International Year of Cooperatives 2012, Cogeca highlighted, on Tuesday 12 January, the crucial role agri-cooperatives play in the marketplace and the key contribution they make to the EU 2020 strategy, thanks to the 40 million people employed in the EU agri-food sector. In order to stimulate innovation and encourage their development, Cogeca will be presenting, on 20 June this year, the European Award for Cooperative Innovation, as well as organising the Cooperative Week in April.
During the joint press conference with Cooperatives Europe and other European sector member organisations, and with the participation of MEP Luis Capoulas Santos, the Copa- Cogeca secretary general, Pekka Pesonen, said: “Agri-cooperatives are a driving force to ensuring a competitive, innovative EU agri-food sector. They enable farmers to join forces to market their produce, add value to produce, help protect farmers against risks, and help ensure product development through research and innovation. In the fruit and vegetable sector, for example, where there are strong seasonal variations in supply, cooperatives play a vital role in balancing out the market.” He pointed out that farmers currently only receive a fraction of the consumer price. It is therefore more important than ever to focus supply via the development of cooperatives to help them get a better return from the market place. World food demand is expected to grow 70% by 2050. (LC/transl.jl)