Luxembourg, 24/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - The farmers and agricultural cooperatives of the EU met in Luxembourg on 24 June, outside the building where the Agriculture Council was being held, to sign a joint declaration urging the European negotiators to agree on a good common agriculture policy (CAP) to ensure a viable EU agri-food sector in the years to come. The declaration argues in favour of a strong and new CAP, “geared to meeting the new challenges ahead”. In order to respond to these challenges, “we need more flexible greening measures and we must ensure that land is not taken out of production. It is also essential that the future CAP reinforces the role of cooperatives and the recognition of producers' organisations in the food chain”, states a press release issued by COPA-COGECA.
The agricultural organisations call on the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission to put an end to the current damaging state of uncertainty and reach a comprehensive agreement on the future CAP before the end of June 2013. (LC/transl.fl)